Bill > HR5647

This bill aims to amend the Social Security Act to require states to facilitate access to family advocates for parents, foster parents, and legal guardians in child welfare cases. Specifically, the bill mandates that states develop procedures allowing parents to seek and receive services from a family advocate who can represent their interests throughout child welfare interactions, without the state being financially responsible for these services. States must establish professional conduct standards for these advocates, and proactively inform parents about their right to representation and available local resources for obtaining an advocate. Additionally, states will be required to report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services about how these family advocate rights impact child welfare services. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit a biennial report to congressional committees detailing the implementation and effects of family advocate representation. The key innovation is providing parents with independent representation during child welfare proceedings, which could help protect parental rights and ensure more balanced interactions with child welfare systems.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5647/all-info