--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 628d" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "628d" heading: "Effective implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/628d" units: - "Chapter 7 — Social Security" - "Subchapter IV — Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services" - "Part B — Child and Family Services" - "Subpart 1 — stephanie tubbs jones child welfare services program" --- # §628d. Effective implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 - (a) **In general—** Not later than October 1, 2025, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), in consultation with [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [tribal organizations](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) and [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), shall develop a plan and provide technical assistance supporting effective implementation of the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978 [[25 U.S.C. 1901](/usc/25/1901.md) et seq.], [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) specific measures identified in [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plans as required by [section 622(b)(9) of this title](/usc/42/622.md?p=b-9). The technical assistance plan shall be based on data sufficient to assess [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) strengths and areas for improvement in implementing Federal [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) established under the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b), at a minimum, the following: - (1) Timely identification of [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) children and extended family members. - (2) Timely tribal notice of [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) custody proceedings involving an [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c). - (3) Reports of cases in which a transfer of jurisdiction (as defined under the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978) was granted or was not granted, and reasons specified for denial in cases where transfer was denied. - (4) In cases in which a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) court orders a foster care placement of an [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c), whether requirements for active efforts to prevent the breakup of the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) family, testimony of a qualified expert witness, and evidentiary [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) were met. - (5) Whether an [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) was placed in a placement that is required to be preferred under the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978, and if not, the reasons specified. - (6) In cases in which a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) court orders the termination of parental rights to an [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c), whether requirements for active efforts to prevent the breakup of the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) family, testimony of a qualified expert witness, and evidentiary [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) were met. - (b) **Interagency coordination—** On request of the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) of the Interior shall provide the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) with such guidance and assistance as may be necessary to facilitate informing [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and public [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) welfare [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) on how to comply with the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) specific measures identified in [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plans as required by [section 622(b)(9) of this title](/usc/42/622.md?p=b-9). - (c) **Biennial reports to Congress—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall biennially submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a written report on how— - (1) the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) are complying with the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978 and [section 622(b)(9) of this title](/usc/42/622.md?p=b-9), as informed by data collected under this section; and - (2) the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) is assisting [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and [Indian tribes](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) to improve implementation of Federal [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) established under the [Indian](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A) [Child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) Welfare Act of 1978. ## Source credit (Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 429B, as added Pub. L. 118–258, title I, § 107(a)(2)(B), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2954.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 95–608, Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3069, which is classified generally to chapter 21 (§ 1901 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1901 of Title 25 and Tables. ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### Effective Date Section effective Oct. 1, 2025, and applicable to payments under this part for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, with delay permitted if either State legislation or tribal action is required to meet additional requirements, see section 117 of Pub. L. 118–258, set out as an Effective Date of 2025 Amendment note under section 622 of this title.