June 13, 1995: Congressional Record publishes “STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS”

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Volume 141, No. 96 covering the 1st Session of the 104th Congress (1995 - 1996) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S8255-S8265 on June 13, 1995.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself and Mr. Bond):

S. 917. A bill to facilitate small business involvement in the regulatory development processes of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY ACT OF 1995

Mr. DOMENICI. Essentially, Mr. President, this bill will establish the process whereby small business in each of our respective States will be involved in the process of writing the rules and regulations for both OSHA and EPA. I think it is an exciting idea that came right from small business.

I note that the chairman of the Small Business Committee, Senator Bond, is a cosponsor. I thank him for his assistance. Mr. President, on behalf of the small business women and men in America, I am pleased to offer a bill to create a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel. This bill has been developed because of the suggestions of a committed group of New Mexican small business people. I am also pleased that the distinguished chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business is joining me as an original cosponsor of this measure. I am also pleased to say that the National Federation of Independent Business supports this bill.

This week, the White House Conference on Small Business is convening here in Washington. This is an event I am particularly interested in since I introduced the legislation that authorizes these national conferences with small business men and women. I would like to welcome all the delegates from New Mexico and ask unanimous consent to place a list of their names in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

In early 1994, I formed a Small Business Advocacy Council in New Mexico. I asked this group to advise me about the problems of small businesses and how Congress might address some of their concerns. This council held 7 meetings in 6 locations throughout the State of New Mexico with more than 400 businesses participating. The consistent theme at all of these meetings was the appearance of an adversarial relationship between the Federal Government and business, and the lack of accountability of regulatory agencies in their dealings with business.

A few months ago the Senate Small Business Committee kicked off a series of field hearings entitled ``Entrepreneurship in America,'' with the first hearing in Albuquerque. These hearings focused on 7 issues affecting American small businesses: the Federal tax burden, cost of employment, environmental compliance, OSHA compliance, government intrusion on the family farm, banking system restrictions, and unreasonable legal exposure costs. Many members of the Small Business Advocacy Council testified at the Albuquerque field hearing of the Senate Small Business Committee chaired by my good friend and distinguished colleague, Kit Bond.

The concerns vetted in this field hearing were not unique to New Mexico. In fact, the Washington Post insert of June 6, ran a very illustrative story on the Small Business White House Conference. This story focused on Sal Risalvato, a White House Conference delegate from New Jersey. Mr. Risalvato runs a gasoline service station in Morristown, NJ, and he relates a familiar tale of struggling to cope with a continuous stream of new EPA regulations. He cites that these regulations are difficult to understand and require the constant expenditure of capital--capital that could have been otherwise used to expand the business and create more jobs. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this article be inserted in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

In June 1994, the General Accounting Office delivered a report to the House Committee on Education and Labor entitled ``Workplace Regulation--Information on Selected Employer and Union Experiences.''

I recently discussed this report with the GAO because I found its results so strikingly similar to the findings of the New Mexico Small Business Advocacy Council and the gentleman from New Jersey cited in the Post article. The objective of the GAO report was to: First, identify and analyze the characteristics of the major statutes comprising the framework of workplace regulation and, second, describe the actual experiences of a wide range of employer and employee representatives with workplace regulation.

The GAO identified 26 statutes and one Executive order on workplace regulation and sought comments, on a confidential basis, from a broad range of 36 employers and union representatives. Those interviewed generally accepted the importance of workplace regulations. There were frequently voiced concerns, however, with the operation of the overall regulatory process of many agencies and about whether the agencies' regulatory goals were being achieved. Last year there were over 8,000 rules and regulations that were promulgated. Obviously, not every rule can, or needs to be, reviewed.

However, there are currently approximately 46 rulemakings pending at EPA that are termed significant, with an economic impact exceeding $100 million.

The small business men and women of America aren't asking to abolish regulations, they are asking for an opportunity to work with agencies to establish an effective mechanism for drafting regulations. The New Mexico Small Business Council members, as well as Sal Risalvato from New Jersey, have said they agree regulation is necessary and everyone benefits from reasonable regulations on health and safety. The small business men and women are pleading for a vehicle of cooperation to act in an advisory capacity to the government on regulatory impacts and costs.

So, at their suggestion, I am pleased to introduce the Small Business Advocacy Act of 1995. This act will establish a small business review panel to facilitate small business involvement in the regulatory development process within the EPA and OSHA. These panels will be responsible for providing technical guidance for issues impacting small businesses, such as applicability, compliance, consistency, redundancy, readability, and any other related concerns that may affect them. This panel will then provide recommendations to the appropriate agency personnel responsible for developing and drafting the relevant regulations. Why EPA and OSHA? They were repeatedly cited as the most onerous and costly agencies to small business.

The panel will be chaired by a senior official of the agency and will include staff responsible for development and drafting of the regulation, a representative from OIRA, a member of the SBA advocate office, and up to three representatives from small businesses especially affected. This will allow the actual small business owners, or their representative associations, to have a voice in the massive regulatory process that affects them so much. The panel has a total of 45 days to meet and develop its recommendations before a rule is promulgated or a final rule is issue. This panel's recommendations, both the majority and minority views, will be reported to the appropriate agency personnel before the rulemaking and the agency will ensure that the panel's recommendations, and the agency's response to them, are included in any notice of final rulemaking.

Finally, this act will also provide for a peer review survey to be conducted on regulations. This idea is analogous to what the private sector routinely practices. A customer survey, contracted and conducted with a private sector firm, will sample a cross-section of the affected small business community responsible for complying with the sampled regulation. This valuable input on regulatory issues impacting small businesses will be made available to the Small Business Advocacy Review Board to assist in their review [[Page S8256]] processes and will also be made available to interested parties and organizations upon request.

I believe that this panel, working together so all viewpoints are represented, will be the crux of reasonable, consistent and understandable rulemaking. I am very concerned about the adversarial manner in which our small businesses perceive their government. Much of this adversarial relationship has grown from years of misunderstanding of impacts and effects and a lack of communication. I want to improve our rulemaking and regulatory process through cooperation and collaboration and I urge my colleagues to support this act.

Mr. President, I ask that unanimous consent that additional material be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

[From the Washington Post, June 6, 1995]

A Tale of Pumping Gas With One Hand, Holding Off Government With the

Other

(By Sal Risalvato)

I wonder if my small business can survive another onslaught of excessive federal regulations. And if it can't, what will happen to my livelihood and that of my employees who depend on me for jobs?

I have learned through firsthand experience how the burden created by federal regulations can hurt a small business.

Since 1987, when I bought Riverdale Texaco, a gasoline service station in Morris County, N.J., costly regulations have touched every aspect of my small business, from the sale of petroleum products to the repair service my employees provide.

My first experience with federal regulations occurred even before I bought the station. Because of the government's response to rising environmental concerns, I had to assemble additional financing in order to make sure that the station I bought had underground storage tanks that were in good shape. The tanks in my new station, for which I did pay a premium, had been installed just a year earlier.

However, within five years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) altered the regulations for underground storage tanks, requiring me to spend another $95,000.

Although it wasn't the government's fault, this $95,000 was especially difficult for me to come by. I had been left virtually broke after losing my first service station in 1986 when my landlord wouldn't renew my lease because he believed he could put his rapidly-appreciating property to more profitable use than as a service station.

In fact, while operating my new station, I was still paying debts from the station I had lost to its landlord. So, coming up with an additional $95,000 to meet new and unexpected governmental regulations meant borrowing from family members. My father borrowed the money he lent me, using his home as collateral.

Fortunately, Texaco also provided me with funds in exchange for a supply contract.

To me, this was government extortion because I would have been forced out of business if I hadn't met the EPA's new requirements. Many service station owners without the money to meet the new requirements have gone out of business or have stopped selling gasoline and are trying to get by on the income from other products and services.

I had thought the EPA had inflicted enough pain and torture on my business, but the federal government now is attempting to blackmail me, my governor, the motorists of my state, and my fellow service station owners in New Jersey.

New Jersey probably has one of the best motor vehicle inspection systems in the country. Under current law, motorists must have their car emissions systems and safety items such as brakes inspected annually, either at a state inspection site or a licensed private repair facility such as mine.

In order to meet EPA requirements, the State of New Jersey will have to invest millions of dollars for new equipment at the state inspection sites. And I, along with other private businesses that want to continue performing inspections, will each have to spend $40,000 to $100,000 for new equipment.

Since many service stations, including mine, can't afford to buy the new, mandated equipment, we small business owners will be forced to give up an important profit center.

I am running out of family members who have money to lend, and those family members who do have money are running out because they always have been lending it to me.

N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has been negotiating with the EPA to lessen the burden on our state. But ultimately, if the state refuses to adopt an inspection system suitable to the EPA, the Department of Transportation will withhold $217 million in federal highway funds.

This would hurt the whole state.

There's no doubt that if these regulations were less stringent or if they were eliminated altogether, I would have more money to expand my business and to create jobs.

When I bought my business, my dream was to add on three or four service bays, a sales room, an employee room, and storage and office space to meet what I hoped would be my growing business' needs.

Now, to make the best use of space inside the main building, our offices are housed in a trailer on the side of my building. Twice in the past seven years, the local board of adjustment has granted us temporary permission to keep our office. Each time, I explained to the board that costly government regulations are slowing down my expansion plans. And that once I'm able to expand, I'll hire at least seven more people.

Anyone can see how federal regulations are stifling my small business. Some people say small-business owners don't care about health and safety or that we are anti-environment. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The small-business community agrees that some regulation is necessary. We, too, benefit from reasonable regulations, and I care about employee safety and environmental protection. I drink the same water and breathe the same air as everyone else. I have no desire to see the quality of either jeopardized.

But federal bureaucrats need to step back and re-evaluate the damage their actions inflict on the free enterprise system.

Congress must make sure that no new requirements are put on the books unless the benefits outweigh the costs, and there should be a clear understanding of what the nation is getting in return.

The regulatory situation for small business is approaching crisis proportions.

Each year, I spend many hours and dollars completing government paperwork and trying to comply with all the regulations. Besides the time I spend actually filling out the forms, there's the time spent trying to understand the paperwork and identify the information needed.

These requirements take valuable time away from running a small business and deplete limited resources that could better be used to expand the business.

Among other changes, my fellow small-business owners want paperwork reduction, a review process for regulations and the right to challenge excessive or unnecessary regulations in court.

If the burdens of excessive regulations are lifted from our backs, we can do even better what we already are the best at--creating jobs.

____

List of New Mexico Delegates to the White House Conference on Small

Business, June 12-14

1. Angela Atterbury, Atterbury and Associates, Inc.

2. Lynne K. Behnfield, Lynfield Consulting, Inc.

3. Diane D. Denish, The Target Group.

4. Maria Estela de Rios, ORION Int'l. Technologies, Inc.

5. Joyce Freiwald, F2 Associates, Inc.

6. Scott Garrett, New Mexico Sports and Wellness.

7. Jim Greenwood, Greenwood Consulting Group.

8. Janet Kerley, Monteverde, Inc.

9. Chet Lytle, Communications Diversified, Inc.

10. Annique Malm, Healthcare Business Solutions, Inc.

11. Ioana McNamara, Permacharge Corp.

12. James M. Parker, Modrall Law Firm.

13. George Shaffer, Insurance Center.

14. Carolyn Sigstedt, Tewa Enterprises.

15. Larry Scheffield.

16. John Lorentzen, Southwest Realty Investment.

______

By Mr. EXON:

S. 918. A bill to prohibit the payment of certain Federal benefits to any person not lawfully present within the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.

the illegal alien benefits prohibition act of 1995

Mr. EXON. Mr. President, I introduce a bill intended to eliminate the payment of Federal benefits to illegal aliens. I spoke on this issue in detail yesterday and I rise to formally introduce the bill today.

I believe that as we begin to debate the welfare reform bill, we have a golden opportunity to stop, once and for all, paying benefits to illegal aliens. I also believe that we can forge a new compact between the States and the Federal Government. If the States can stand with us and help to identify and verify alien status, we will provide them the necessary funds. We can also allow States to deny benefits to illegal aliens.

I intend to pursue this matter to the end, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 918

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Illegal Alien Benefits Prohibition Act of 1995''.

[[Page S8257]]

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON PAYMENT OF FEDERAL BENEFITS TO CERTAIN

PERSONS.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subsection (b), Federal benefits shall not be paid or provided to any person

who is not a person lawfully present within the United States.

(b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the following benefits:

(1) Emergency medical services under title XIX of the Social Security Act.

(2) Short-term emergency disaster relief.

(3) Assistance or benefits under the National School Lunch Act.

(4) Assistance or benefits under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

(5) Public health assistance for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases and for testing and treatment for communicable diseases.

(1) Federal benefits.--The term ``Federal benefit'' means--

(A) the issuance of any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and

(B) any retirement, welfare, Social Security, health, disability, veterans benefit, public housing, education, food stamps, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States.

(2) Veterans benefit.--The term ``veterans benefit'' means all benefits provided to veterans, their families, or survivors by virtue of the service of a veteran in the Armed Forces of the United States.

(3) Person lawfully present within the united states.--The term ``person lawfully present within the United States'' means a person who, at the time the person applies for, receives, or attempts to receive a Federal benefit, is a United States citizen, a permanent resident alien, an asylee, a refugee, a parolee, a national, or a national of the United States for purposes of the immigration laws of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17)).

SEC. 3. STATE OBLIGATION.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State that administers a program that provides a Federal benefit

(described in section 2(c)(1)) or provides State benefits pursuant to such a program shall not be required to provide such benefit to a person who is not a person lawfully present within the United States through a State agency or with appropriated funds of such State.

SEC. 4. VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General of the United States, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall promulgate regulations requiring verification that a person applying for a Federal benefit, including a benefit described in section 2(b), is a person lawfully present within the United States and is eligible to receive such benefit. Such regulations shall, to the extent feasible, require that information requested and exchanged be similar in form and manner to information requested and exchanged under section 1137 of the Social Security Act.

(b) State Compliance.--Not later than 24 months after the date the regulations described in subsection (a) are adopted, a State that administers a program that provides a Federal benefit described in such subsection shall have in effect a verification system that complies with the regulations.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.

______

By Mr. COATS (for himself and Mrs. KASSEBAUM):

S. 919. A bill to modify and reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1995

Mr. COATS. Mr. President: I introduce the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1995.

Child abuse is an issue which provokes our anger and anguish, and which demands our attention as legislators. Our Nation's outrage on this Topic was renewed with the murder of Susan Smith's children. It is impossible to comprehend how those who are entrusted with protecting children can hurt them, maim them, and even take their lives. In fact, it was cases just like this--involving the severe abuse and death of children--which led to Senate hearings in 1973, and eventually to the development of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

CAPTA was first authorized in 1974 and is the only Federal program specifically aimed at child abuse prevention and treatment. CAPTA has served as a catalyst, encouraging States to do some important things: Develop programs of prevention and treatment; educate law enforcement and judicial personnel; and to develop crisis hotlines, self-help groups, volunteer training, and public awareness campaigns.

In 1993, the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse and neglect reported that there were 2,898,000 child maltreatment reports. This represents a twentyfold increase from 1963, when there were about 150,000 reports. Federal and State expenditures for child protection programs and associated foster care programs now exceed $6 billion a year. The heightened awareness in the public regarding the issue of child abuse, and the corresponding increase in Federal and State dollars, is partially due to the passage of mandatory reporting laws--

required by CAPTA--and the media campaigns that have accompanied them. Certainly, many thousands of children have been saved from serious injury, and even death, during the last 20 years.

Unfortunately, a byproduct of this heightened public awareness has been an explosion in the number of unfounded reports of child abuse and neglect. The staggering number of reports that are determined to be unfounded tell a disturbing tale. According to the annual 50-State survey of the National Committee To Prevent Child Abuse, only 34 percent of the reports received by child protective services were substaintiated. This means that two-thirds of all abuse and neglect reports are unsubstantiated. When you take into account the

number of families involved and the numbers duplicate reports, we know that each year as many as 700,000 families are being unnecessarily investigated--their children are being questioned and family life disrupted.

This is a concern, but the most important problem is this: unnecessary investigations are overwhelming the child protection system, and thereby preventing caseworkers from getting to those children who are truly in need of help.

It is important to note that few of the unfounded reports are made maliciously. The reporter is usually well-intentioned, but unclear as to what constitutes maltreatment. A vague suspicion that something may be wrong sets in motion a legal obligation on the part of child protective services to investigate.

This burden of empty accusations helps explain why between 25 to 50 percent of child abuse deaths involve children previously known to the authorities. With caseworkers spending significant amounts of time investigating every allegation of child maltreatment, no matter how tenuous, it is understandable that children who are truly in need of help are missed or ignored.

Mr. President, the legislation that I am introducing today addresses some of the failings in the current system, and addresses ways that we can better target attention to those children in desperate need of protection. The legislation proposes to encourage the States through the development of risk assessment protocols, improved training of child protection workers, and enhanced community awareness and public education.

The legislation was drafted following a fruitful hearing that examined some of the critical child protection issues facing our Nation today and particularly their impact on the families and children who come in contact with the child protective system.

A great deal is at stake in these matters. The protection of children from abuse is a demand of our conscience and a demand of our laws. Our concern and compassion should be broad. But the system charged with protecting children must be focused to be effective. And that is the only measure of our success--when a child is effectively shielded from abuse and neglect.

This requires a serious revision of our current approach--not its goal, but some of its methods. And I hope that with this legislation we can begin that process in earnest.

For the information of my colleagues, I will summarize some of the provisions of the bill.

Title I reauthorizes State grants and demonstration grants, makes reporting and data collection requirements more effective, and eliminates certain bureaucratic bodies.

The bill repeals the current mandates for a National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, for the U.S. Advisory [[Page S8258]] Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Instead the secretary has discretion to establish an Office on Child Abuse and Neglect to coordinate the functions of this Act, and to appoint an advisory board to report on specific issues.

The data collection function for the National Clearinghouse would be expanded. In addition, the research activities function, coordinated by the Secretary of HHS, is restructured to require a continuing program of research aimed at better protecting children from abuse and neglect.

The bill authorizes demonstration grants to encourages State and local innovation in training professionals, families, service providers, and communities and providing information and assistance to individuals, agencies, and organizations through child abuse resource centers; parent mutual support and self help programs; and other innovative programs, such as establishing a triage system which would allow and encourage community participation in the prevention and response to child abuse and neglect.

The basic State grant program will continue to support State child protective services by assisting States with: First the intake, screening and investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect; second, case management and delivery of services provided to children and their families; third, improving risk and safety assessment tools, fourth, expanding training opportunities for service providers and mandated reporters; and fifth; provide for education and training addressing ``Baby Doe'' situations of medical neglect.

In order to be eligible to receive funds under this section, a State must submit a State plan and annual data reports.

The bill continues the current immunity from prosecution for individuals who report a suspicion or incident of child abuse and neglect, but adds a requirement that the reports must be made in good faith.

This bill clarifies the issue of medical neglect as well, providing that parents are free to make decisions regarding the medical treatment of their children, and that States may not find a family using spiritual or non-medical means as being neglectful, solely on the basis of a religious practice, absent an affirmative finding of abuse or neglect on a case-by-case basis. Further, the bill makes clear that nothing in this act precludes a State from intervening on behalf of the child where failure or refusal to provide a medical service or treatment will lead to imminent risk of severe harm to the child.

Finally, to give better direction to the States, the definition of child abuse and neglect is clarified.

Title II consolidates the former community--based family resource programs grant with the Temporary Child Care for Children With Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act and Title VII(F)--family support services--of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to create a comprehensive community--based family resource program. The new program provides for broad-based networks of child abuse and prevention programs and other family resource and support programs.

Title III reauthorizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, which provides grants to States to assist in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents or family violence and provide immediate shelter for victims of family violence.

Title IV reauthorizes the Adoption Opportunities Act, which a few technical changes and a new requirement that the Secretary report on the efficacy of the current system of recruitment for prospective foster care and/or adoptive parents.

Title V reauthorizes the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, which provides discretionary grants to States to prevent abandonment of children and to provide for the needs of children who are abandoned, especially those with AIDS.

And finally, Title VI provides a 2-year, straight reauthorization of the Missing Children's Assistance Act and section 214B of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 919

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1995''.

(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--GENERAL PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Reference.

Sec. 102. Findings.

Sec. 103. Office of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Sec. 104. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Sec. 105. Repeal of Interagency Task Force.

Sec. 106. National Clearinghouse for Information Relating to Child

Abuse.

Sec. 107. Research and assistance activities.

Sec. 108. Grants for demonstration programs.

Sec. 109. State grants for prevention and treatment programs.

Sec. 110. Repeal.

Sec. 111. Definitions.

Sec. 112. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 113. Rule of construction.

TITLE II--COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION GRANTS

Sec. 201. Establishment of program.

Sec. 202. Repeals.

TITLE III--FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES

Sec. 301. Reference.

Sec. 302. State demonstration grants.

Sec. 303. Allotments.

Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE IV--ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES

Sec. 401. Reference.

Sec. 402. Findings and purpose.

Sec. 403. Information and services.

Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE V--ABANDONED INFANTS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1986

Sec. 501. Reauthorization.

TITLE VI--REAUTHORIZATION OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS

Sec.601.Missing Children's Assistance Act.

Sec.602.Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990.

TITLE I--GENERAL PROGRAM

SEC. 101. REFERENCE.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.).

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

Section 2 (42 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), the read as follows:

``(1) each year, close to 1,000,000 American children are victims of abuse and neglect;'';

(2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``assessment,'' after

``prevention,'';

(3) in paragraph (4)--

(A) by striking ``tens of''; and

(B) by striking ``direct'' and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting ``tangible expenditures, as well as significant intangible costs;'';

(4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``remedy the causes of'' and inserting ``prevent'';

(5) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``safety,'' after

``fosters the health,'';

(6) in paragraph (10)--

(A) by striking ``ensure that every community in the United States has'' and inserting ``assist States and communities with''; and

(B) by inserting ``and family'' after ``comprehensive child''; and

(7) in paragraph (11)--

(A) by striking ``child protection'' each place that such appears and inserting ``child and family protection''; and

(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``sufficient''.

SEC. 103. OFFICE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

Section 101 (42 U.S.C.5101) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 101. OFFICE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish an office to be known as the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect.

``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Office established under subsection (a) shall be to execute and coordinate the functions and activities of this Act. In the event that such functions and activities are performed by another entity or entities within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary shall ensure that such functions and activities are executed with the necessary expertise and in a fully coordinated manner involving regular intradepartmental and interdepartmental consultation with all agencies involved in child abuse and neglect activities.''.

SEC. 104. ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

Section 102 (42 U.S.C.5102) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 102. ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

``(a) Appointment.--The Secretary may appoint an advisory board to make recommendations to the Secretary and to the appropriate committees of Congress concerning specific issues relating to child abuse and neglect.

[[Page S8259]] ``(b) Solicitation of Nominations.--The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for the appointment of members of the advisory board under subsection (a).

``(c) Composition.--In establishing the board under subsection (a), the Secretary shall appoint members from the general public who are individuals knowledgeable in child abuse and neglect prevention, intervention, treatment, or research, and with due consideration to representation of ethnic or racial minorities and diverse geographic areas, and who represent--

``(1) law (including the judiciary);

``(2) psychology (including child development);

``(3) social services (including child protective services);

``(4) medicine (including pediatrics);

``(5) State and local government;

``(6) organizations providing services to disabled persons;

``(7) organizations providing services to adolescents;

``(8) teachers;

``(9) parent self-help organizations;

``(10) parents' groups;

``(11) voluntary groups; and

``(12) family rights groups.

``(d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

``(e) Election of Officers.--The board shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson at its first meeting from among the members of the board.

``(f) Duties.--Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the board under subsection (a), the board shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report, or interim report, containing--

``(1) recommendations on coordinating Federal, State, and local child abuse and neglect activities with similar activities at the Federal, State, and local level pertaining to family violence prevention;

``(2) specific modifications needed in Federal and State laws and programs to reduce the number of unfounded or unsubstantiated reports of child abuse or neglect while enhancing a more focused attention to legitimate cases of abuse or neglect which place a child in danger; and

``(3) recommendations for modifications needed to facilitate coordinated national data collection with respect to child protection and child welfare.''.

SEC. 105. REPEAL OF INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

Section 103 (42 U.S.C.5103) is repealed.

SEC. 106. NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO

CHILD ABUSE.

Section 104 (42 U.S.C.5104) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), to read as follows:

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall through the Department, or by one or more contract of not less than 3 years duration let through a competition, establish a national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse.'';

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking

``Director'' and inserting ``Secretary'';

(B) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by inserting ``assessment,'' after ``prevention,''; and

(ii) by striking ``, including'' and all that follows through ``105(b)'' and inserting ``and'';

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``general population'' and inserting ``United States'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' at the end thereof;

(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' at the end thereof and inserting a period; and

(iv) by striking subparagraph (D); and

(D) by striking paragraph (3); and

(3) in subsection (c)--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking

``Director'' and inserting ``Secretary'';

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``that is represented on the task force'' and inserting ``involved with child abuse and neglect and mechanisms for the sharing of such information among other Federal agencies and clearinghouses'';

(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``State, regional'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``Federal, State, regional, and local child welfare data systems which shall include:

``(A) standardized data on false, unfounded, unsubstantiated, or substantiated reports; and

``(B) information on the number of deaths due to child abuse and neglect;'';

(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and

(E) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following new paragraphs:

``(4) through a national data collection and analysis program and in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies and experts in the field, collect, compile, and make available, State child abuse and neglect reporting information which, to the extent practical, shall be universal and case specific, and integrated with other case-based foster care and adoption data collected by the Secretary;

``(5) compile, analyze, and publish a summary of the research conducted under section 105(a); and''.

SEC. 107. RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES.

(a) Research.--Section 105(a) (42 (42 U.S.C. 5105(a)) is amended--

(1) in the section heading, by striking ``OF THE NATIONAL CENTER ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT'';

(2) in paragraph (1)--

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking

``, through the Center, conduct research on'' and inserting

``carry out a continuing interdisciplinary program of research that is designed to provide information needed to better protect children from abuse or neglect and to improve the well-being of abused or neglected children, with at least a portion of such research being field initiated. Such research program may focus on'';

(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as subparagraph (B) through (D), respectively;

``(A) the nature and scope of child abuse and neglect;'';

(D) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), ``by striking

``identification,, treatment and cultural'' and inserting

``causes, prevention, assessment, identification, treatment, cultural and socio-economic distinctions, and the consequences of child abuse and neglect'';

(E) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated)--

(i) by striking clause (ii); and

(ii) in clause (iii), to read as follows:

``(ii) the incidence of substantiated and unsubstantiated reported child abuse cases;

``(iii) the number of substantiated cases that result in a legal finding of child abuse or neglect or related criminal court convictions;

``(iv) the extent to which the number of unsubstantiated, unfounded and false reported cases of child abuse or neglect have contributed to the inability of a State to respond effectively to serious cases of child abuse or neglect;

``(v) the number of unsubstantiated, false, or unfounded reports that have resulted in a child being placed on substitute care, and the duration of such placement;

``(vi) the extent to which unsubstantiated reports return as more serious cases of child abuse or neglect;

``(vii) the incidence and prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect in substitute care; and

``(viii) the incidence and outcomes of abuse allegations reported within the context of divorce, custody, or other family court proceedings, and the interaction between this venue and the child protective services system.''; and

(3) in paragraph (2)--

(A) in subparagraph (A)--

(i) by striking ``and demonstrations''; and

(ii) by striking ``paragraph (1)(A) and activities under section 106'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and demonstration''.

(b) Repeal.--Subsection (b) of section 105 (42 U.S.C. 5105(b)) is repealed.

(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting:

``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';

(2) by striking ``, through the Center,'';

(3) by inserting ``State and local'' before ``public and nonprofit'';

(4) by inserting ``assessment,'' before ``identification''; and

(5) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraphs:

``(2) Evaluation.--Such technical assistance may include an evaluation or identification of--

``(A) various methods and procedures for the investigation, assessment, and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases;

``(B) resultant ways to mitigate psychological trauma to the child victim; and

``(C) effective programs carried out by the States under titles I and III.

``(3) Dissemination.--The Secretary may provide for and disseminate information relating to various training resources available at the State and local level to--

``(A) individuals who are engaged, or who intend to engage, in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and

``(B) to appropriate State and local officials to assist in training law enforcement, legal, judicial, medical, mental health, education, and child welfare personnel in appropriate methods of interacting during investigative, administrative, and judicial proceedings with children who have been subjected to abuse.''.

(d) Grants and Contracts.--Section 105(d)(2) (42 U.S.C. 5105(d)(2)) is amended by striking the second sentence.

(e) Peer Review.--Section 105(e) (42 U.S.C. 5105(e)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1)--

(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and contracts''; and

(B) in subparagraph (B)--

(i) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and

(ii) by striking ``Office of Human Development'' and inserting ``Administration on Children and Families''; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, contract, or other financial assistance''.

[[Page S8260]]

SEC. 108. GRANTS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.

Section 106 (42 U.S.C. 5106) is amended--

(1) in the section heading, by striking ``OR SERVICE'';

(2) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:

``(1) Demonstration programs and projects.--The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public agencies or nonprofit private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such agencies or organizations) for time limited, research based demonstration programs and projects for the following purposes:

``(A) Training programs.--The Secretary may award grants to public or private non-profit organizations under this section--

``(i) for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel in the fields of medicine, law, education, social work, and other relevant fields who are engaged in, or intend to work in, the field of prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect;

``(ii) to provide culturally specific instruction in methods of protecting children from child abuse and neglect to children and to persons responsible for the welfare of children, including parents of and persons who work with children with disabilities;

``(iii) to improve the recruitment, selection, and training of volunteers serving in private and public nonprofit children, youth and family service organizations in order to prevent child abuse and neglect through collaborative analysis of current recruitment, selection, and training programs and development of model programs for dissemination and replication nationally; and

``(iv) for the establishment of resource centers for the purpose of providing information and training to professionals working in the field of child abuse and neglect.

``(B) Mutual support programs.--The Secretary may award grants to private non-profit organizations (such as Parents Anonymous) to establish or maintain a national network of mutual support and self-help programs as a means of strengthening families in partnership with their communities.

``(C) Other innovative programs and projects.--

``(i) In general.--The Secretary may award grants to public agencies that demonstrate innovation in responding to reports of child abuse and neglect including programs of collaborative partnerships between the State child protective service agency, community social service agencies and family support programs, schools, churches and synagogues, and other community agencies to allow for the establishment of a triage system that--

``(I) accepts, screens and assesses reports received to determine which such reports require an intensive intervention and which require voluntary referral to another agency, program or project;

``(II) provides, either directly or through referral, a variety of community-linked services to assist families in preventing child abuse and neglect; and

``(III) provides further investigation and intensive intervention where the child's safety is in jeopardy.

``(ii) Preferred placement.--The Secretary may award grants to public entities to assist such entities in developing or implementing procedures protecting the rights of families, using adult relatives as the preferred placement for children removed from their home, where such relatives are determined to be capable of providing a safe environment for the child or where such relatives comply with the State child protection standards.''; and

(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:

``(d) Evaluation.--In making grants for demonstration projects under this section, the Secretary shall require all such projects to be evaluated for their effectiveness. Funding for such evaluations shall be provided either as a stated percentage of a demonstration grant or as a separate grant entered into by the Secretary for the purpose of evaluating a particular demonstration project or group of projects.''.

SEC. 109. STATE GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

Section 107 (42 U.S.C. 5107) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 107. GRANTS TO STATES FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

``(a) Development and Operation Grants.--The Secretary shall make grants to the States, based on the population of children under the age of 18 in each State that applies for a grant under this section, for purposes of assisting the States in improving the child protective service system of each such State in--

``(1) the intake, assessment, screening, and investigation of reports of abuse and neglect;

``(2)(A) creating and improving the use of multidisciplinary teams and interagency protocols to enhance investigations; and

``(B) improving legal preparation and representation, including--

``(i) procedures for appealing and responding to appeals of substantiated reports of abuse and neglect; and

``(ii) provisions for the appointment of a guardian ad litem.

``(3) case management and delivery of services provided to children and their families;

``(4) enhancing the general child protective system by improving risk and safety assessment tools and protocols, automation systems that support the program and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition and information referral systems;

``(5) developing, strengthening, and facilitating training opportunities and requirements for individuals overseeing and providing services to children and their families through the child protection system;

``(6) developing and facilitating training protocols for individuals mandated to report child abuse or neglect;

``(7) developing, strengthening, and supporting child abuse and neglect prevention, treatment, and research programs in the public and private sectors; or

``(8) developing, implementing, or operating--

``(A) information and education programs or training programs designed to improve the provision of services to disabled infants with life-threatening conditions for--

``(i) professional and paraprofessional personnel concerned with the welfare of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including personnel employed in child protective services programs and health-care facilities; and

``(ii) the parents of such infants;

``(B) programs to enhance the capacity of community-based programs to integrate shared leadership strategies between parents and professionals to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect at the neighborhood level; and

``(C) programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including--

``(i) existing social and health services;

``(ii) financial assistance; and

``(iii) services necessary to facilitate adoptive placement of any such infants who have been relinquished for adoption.

``(b) Compliance and Education Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants to the States for purposes of developing, implementing, or operating--

``(1) the procedures or programs required under subsection

(b)(2);

``(2) procedures or programs designed to improve the provision of services to disabled infants with life-threatening conditions for--

``(A) professional and paraprofessional personnel concerned with the welfare of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including personnel employed in child protective services programs and health-care facilities; and

``(B) the parents of such infants; and

``(3) programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including--

``(A) existing social and health services;

``(B) financial assistance; and

``(C) services necessary to facilitate adoptive placement of any such infants who have been relinquished for adoption.

``(c) Eligibility Requirements.--In order for a State to qualify for a grant under subsection (a), such State shall provide an assurance or certification, signed by the chief executive officer of the State, that the State--

``(1) has in effect and operation a State law or Statewide program relating to child abuse and neglect which ensures--

``(A) provisions or procedures for the reporting of known and suspected instances of child abuse and neglect; and

``(B) procedures for the immediate screening, safety assessment, and prompt investigation of such reports;

``(C) procedures for immediate steps to be taken to ensure and protect the safety of the abused or neglected child and of any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of physical abuse or neglect;

``(D) provisions for immunity from prosecution under State and local laws and regulations for individuals making good faith reports of suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect;

``(E) methods to preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the child's parents or guardians, including methods to ensure that disclosure (and redisclosure) of information concerning child abuse or neglect involving specific individuals is made only to persons or entities that the State determines have a need for such information directly related to the purposes of this Act;

``(F) requirements for the prompt disclosure of all relevant information to any Federal, State, or local governmental entity, or any agent of such entity, with a need for such information in order to carry out its responsibilities under law to protect children from abuse and neglect;

``(G) the cooperation of law enforcement officials, court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate State agencies providing human services;

``(H) provisions requiring, and procedures in place that facilitate the prompt expungement of any records that are accessible to the general public or are used for purposes of employment or other background checks in cases determined to be unsubstantiated or false, except that nothing in this section shall prevent State child protective service agencies from keeping information on unsubstantiated reports in their casework files to assist in future risk assessment; and

``(I) provisions and procedures requiring that in every case involving an abused or neglected child which results in a judicial proceeding, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed to represent the child in such proceedings; and [[Page S8261]]

``(2) has in place procedures for responding to the reporting of medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-threatening conditions), procedures or programs, or both (within the State child protective services system), to provide for--

``(A) coordination and consultation with individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities;

``(B) prompt notification by individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities of cases of suspected medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-threatening conditions); and

``(C) authority, under State law, for the State child protective service system to pursue any legal remedies, including the authority to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, as may be necessary to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life threatening conditions.

``(d) Additional Requirement.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the State shall provide an assurance or certification that the State has in place provisions, procedures, and mechanisms by which individuals who disagree with an official finding of abuse or neglect can appeal such finding.

``(e) State Program Plan.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit every 5 years a plan to the Secretary that specifies the child protective service system area or areas described in subsection (a) that the State intends to address with funds received under the grant. Such plan shall be coordinated with the plan of the State for child welfare services and family preservation and family support services under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act. and shall contain an outline of the activities that the State intends to carry out using amounts provided under the grant to achieve the purposes of this Act, including the procedures to be used for--

``(1) receiving and assessing reports of child abuse or neglect;

``(2) investigating such reports;

``(3) protecting children by removing them from dangerous settings and ensuring their placement in a safe environment;

``(4) providing services or referral for services for families and children where the child is not in danger of harm;

``(5) providing services to individuals, families, or communities, either directly or through referral, aimed at preventing the occurrence of child abuse and neglect;

``(6) providing training to support direct line and supervisory personnel in report-taking, screening, assessment, decision-making, and referral for investigation; and

``(7) providing training for individuals mandated to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

``(f) Restrictions Relating to Child Welfare Services.--Programs or projects relating to child abuse and neglect assisted under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act shall comply with the requirements set forth in paragraphs

(1)(A) and (B), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of subsection

(c).

``(g) Annual State Data Reports.--Each State to which a grant is made under this part shall annually submit to the Secretary a report that includes the following:

``(1) The number of children who were reported to the State during the year as abused or neglected.

``(2) Of the number of children described in paragraph (1), the number with respect to whom such reports were--

``(A) substantiated;

``(B) unsubstantiated; and

``(C) determined to be false.

``(3) Of the number of children described in paragraph

(2)--

``(A) the number that did not receive services during the year under the State program funded under this part or an equivalent State program;

``(B) the number that received services during the year under the State program funded under this part or an equivalent State program; and

``(C) the number that were removed from their families during the year by disposition of the case.

``(4) The number of families that received preventive services from the State during the year.

``(5) The number of deaths in the State during the year resulting from child abuse or neglect.

``(6) Of the number of children described in paragraph (5), the number of such children who were in foster care.

``(7) The number of child protective service workers responsible for the intake and screening of reports filed in the previous year.

``(8) The agency response time with respect to each such report with respect to initial investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect.

``(9) The response time with respect to the provision of services to families and children where an allegation of abuse or neglect has been made.

``(10) The number of child protective service workers responsible for intake, assessment, and investigation of child abuse and neglect reports relative to the number of reports investigated in the previous year.''.

SEC. 110. REPEAL.

Section 108 (42 U.S.C. 5106b) is repealed.

SEC. 111. DEFINITIONS.

Section 113 (42 U.S.C.5106h) is amended--

(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2);

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) as paragraphs (1) through (8), respectively; and

(3) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), to read as follows:

``(2) the term `child abuse and neglect' means, at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death or serious physical, sexual, or emotional harm, or presents an imminent risk of serious harm. Such term does not include a child who has suffered harm where the harm results primarily from the parent or caretaker's lack of financial resources or from causes linked to such lack of resources;''.

SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 114(a) (42 U.S.C. 5106h(a)) is amended to read as follows:

``(a) In General.--

``(1) General authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1997 through 2000.

``(2) Discretionary activities.--

``(A) In general.--Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make available 33\1/3\ percent of such amounts to fund discretionary activities under this title.

``(B) Demonstration projects.--Of the amounts made available for a fiscal year under subparagraph (A), the Secretary make available not more than 40 percent of such amounts to carry out section 106.''.

SEC. 113. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Title I (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:

``SEC. 115. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

``(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require that a parent or legal guardian provide a child any medical service or treatment, nor require a State to find abuse or neglect in cases in which a parent or legal guardian treats a child's health condition solely or partially by spiritual or non-medical means.

``(b) State Intervention.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), nothing in this Act shall be construed as precluding a State from intervening to protect a child or find abuse or neglect in a case involving the failure or refusal to provide a medical service or treatment where such failure or refusal will lead to imminent risk of severe harm to the child.''.

TITLE II--COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION GRANTS

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

(42 U.S.C. 5116 et seq) is amended to read as follows:

``TITLE II--COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION GRANTS

``SEC. 201. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.

``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to support State efforts to develop, operate, expand and enhance a network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that are culturally competent and that coordinate resources among existing education, vocational rehabilitation, disability, respite, health, mental health, job readiness, self-sufficiency, child and family development, community action, Head Start, child care, child abuse and neglect prevention, juvenile justice, domestic violence prevention and intervention, housing, and other human service organizations within the State.

``(b) Authority.--The Secretary shall make grants under this title on a formula basis to the entity designated by the State as the lead entity (hereafter referred to in this title as the `lead entity') for the purpose of--

``(1) developing, operating, expanding and enhancing Statewide networks of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that--

``(A) offer sustained assistance to families;

``(B) provide early, comprehensive, and holistic support for all parents;

``(C) promote the development of parental competencies and capacities, especially in young parents and parents with very young children;

``(D) increase family stability;

``(E) improve family access to other formal and informal resources and opportunities for assistance available within communities; and

``(F) support the additional needs of families with children with disabilities;

``(2) fostering the development of a continuum of preventive services for children and families through State and community-based collaborations and partnerships both public and private;

``(3) financing the start-up, maintenance, expansion, or redesign of specific family resource and support program services (such as respite services, child abuse and neglect prevention activities, disability services, mental health services, housing services, transportation, adult education, home visiting and other similar services) identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 205(a)(3) as an unmet need, and integrated with the network of community-based family resource and support program;

``(4) maximizing funding for the financing, planning, community mobilization, collaboration, assessment, information and referral, [[Page S8262]] startup, training and technical assistance, information management, reporting and evaluation costs for establishing, operating, or expanding a Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support program; and

``(5) financing public information activities that focus on the healthy and positive development of parents and children and the promotion of child abuse and neglect prevention activities.

``SEC. 202. ELIGIBILITY.

``A State shall be eligible for a grant under this title for a fiscal year if--

``(1)(A) the chief executive officer of the State has designated an entity to administer funds under this title for the purposes identified under the authority of this title, including to develop, implement, operate, enhance or expand a Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs, child abuse and neglect prevention activities and access to respite services integrated with the Statewide network;

``(B) in determining which entity to designate under subparagraph (A), the chief executive officer should give priority consideration to the trust fund advisory board of the State or an existing entity that leverages Federal, State, and private funds for a broad range of child abuse and neglect prevention activities and family resource programs, and that is directed by an interdisciplinary, public-private structure, including participants from communities; and

``(C) such lead entity is an existing public, quasi-public, or nonprofit private entity with a demonstrated ability to work with other State and community-based agencies to provide training and technical assistance, and that has the capacity and commitment to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers and who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;

``(2) the chief executive officer of the State provides assurances that the lead entity will provide of will be responsible for providing--

``(A) a network of community-based family resource and support programs composed of local, collaborative, public-private partnerships directed by interdisciplinary structures with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, and public and private nonprofit service providers and individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities;

``(B) direction to the network through an interdisciplinary, collaborative, public-private structure with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, and public sector and private nonprofit sector service providers; and

``(C) direction and oversight to the network through identified goals and objectives, clear lines of communication and accountability, the provision of leveraged or combined funding from Federal, State and private sources, centralized assessment and planning activities, the provision of training and technical assistance, and reporting and evaluation functions; and

``(3) the chief executive officer of the State provides assurances that the lead entity--

``(A) has a demonstrated commitment to parental participation in the development, operation, and oversight of the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(B) has a demonstrated ability to work with State and community-based public and private nonprofit organizations to develop a continuum of preventive, family centered, holistic services for children and families through the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(C) has the capacity to provide operational support (both financial and programmatic) and training and technical assistance, to the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs, through innovative, interagency funding and interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms; and

``(D) will integrate its efforts with individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities and with the child abuse and neglect prevention activities of the State, and demonstrate a financial commitment to those activities.

``SEC. 203. AMOUNT OF GRANT.

``(a) Reservation.--The Secretary shall reserve 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 210 for a fiscal year to make allotments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations and migrant programs.

``(b) In General.--Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under section 210 and remaining after the reservation under subsection (a), The Secretary shall allot to each State lead entity an amount so that--

``(1) 50 percent of the total amount allotted to the State under this section is based on the number of children under 18 residing in the State as compared to the number of such children residing in all States, except that no State shall receive less than $250,000; and

``(2) each State receives, from the amounts remaining from the total amount appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount that each such State has directed through the lead agency to the purposes identified under the authority of this title, including foundation, corporate, and other private funding, State revenues, and Federal funds.

``(c) Allocation.--Funds allotted to a State under this section shall be awarded on a formula basis for a 3-year period. Payment under such allotments shall be made by the Secretary annually on the basis described in subsection (a).

``SEC. 204. EXISTING AND CONTINUATION GRANTS.

``(a) Existing Grants.--Notwithstanding the enactment of this title, a State or entity that has a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement in effect, on the date of enactment of this title, under the Family Resource and Support Program, the Community-Based Family Resource Program, the Emergency Child Abuse Prevention Grant Program, or the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Programs shall continue to receive funds under such programs, subject to the original terms under which such funds were granted, through the end of the applicable grant cycle.

``(b) Continuation Grants.--The Secretary may continue grants for Family Resource and Support Program grantees, and those programs otherwise funded under this Act, on a noncompetitive basis, subject to the availability of appropriations, satisfactory performance by the grantee, and receipt of reports required under this Act, until such time as the grantee no longer meets the original purposes of this Act.

``SEC. 205. APPLICATION.

``(a) In General.--A grant may not be made to a State under this title unless an application therefore is submitted by the State to the Secretary and such application contains the types of information specified by the Secretary as essential to carrying out the provisions of section 202, including--

``(1) a description of the lead entity that will be responsible for the administration of funds provided under this title and the oversight of programs funded through the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs which meets the requirements of section 202;

``(2) a description of how the network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs will operate and how family resource and support services provided by public and private, nonprofit organizations, including those funded by programs consolidated under this Act, will be integrated into a developing continuum of family centered, holistic, preventive services for children and families;

``(3) an assurance that an inventory of current family resource programs, respite, child abuse and neglect prevention activities, and other family resource services operating in the State, and a description of current unmet needs, will be provided;

``(4) a budget for the development, operation and expansion of the State's network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that verifies that the State will expend an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of the amount received under this title (in cash, not in-kind) for activities under this title;

``(5) an assurance that funds received under this title will supplement, not supplant, other State and local public funds designated for the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(6) an assurance that the State network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs will maintain cultural diversity, and be culturally competent and socially sensitive and responsive to the needs of families with children with disabilities;

``(7) an assurance that the State has the capacity to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers and who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;

``(8) a description of the criteria that the entity will use to develop, or select and fund, individual community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs as part of network development, expansion or enhancement;

``(9) a description of outreach activities that the entity and the community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs will undertake to maximize the participation of racial and ethnic minorities, new immigrant populations, children and adults with disabilities, and members of other underserved or underrepresented groups;

``(10) a plan for providing operational support, training and technical assistance to community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs for development, operation, expansion and enhancement activities;

``(11) a description of how the applicant entity's activities and those of the network and its members will be evaluated;

``(12) a description of that actions that the applicant entity will take to advocate changes in State policies, practices, procedures and regulations to improve the delivery of prevention-focused, family resource and support program services to all children and families; and

``(13) an assurance that the applicant entity will provide the Secretary with reports [[Page S8263]] at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

``SEC. 206. LOCAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

``(a) In General.--Grants made under this title shall be used to develop, implement, operate, expand and enhance community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that--

``(1) assess community assets and needs through a planning process that involves parents and local public agencies, local nonprofit organizations, and private sector representatives;

``(2) develop a strategy to provide, over time, a continuum of preventive, holistic, family centered services to children and families, especially to young parents and parents with young children, through public-private partnerships;

``(3) provide--

``(A) core family resource and support services such as--

``(i) parent education, mutual support and self help, and leadership services;

``(ii) early developmental screening of children;

``(iii) outreach services;

``(iv) community and social service referrals; and

``(v) follow-up services;

``(B) other core services, which must be provided or arranged for through contracts or agreements with other local agencies, including all forms of respite services; and

``(C) access to optional services, including--

``(i) child care, early childhood development and intervention services;

``(ii) services and supports to meet the additional needs of families with children with disabilities;

``(iii) job readiness services;

``(iv) educational services, such as scholastic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree services;

``(v) self-sufficiency and life management skills training;

``(vi) community referral services; and

``(vii) peer counseling;

``(4) develop leadership roles for the meaningful involvement of parents in the development, operation, evaluation, and oversight of the programs and services;

``(5) provide leadership in mobilizing local public and private resources to support the provision of needed family resource and support program services; and

``(6) participate with other community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support program grantees in the development, operation and expansion of the Statewide network.

``(b) Priority.--In awarding local grants under this title, a lead entity shall give priority to community-based programs serving low income communities and those serving young parents or parents with young children, and to community-based family resource and support programs previously funded under the programs consolidated under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1995, so long as such programs meet local program requirements.

``SEC. 207. PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

``A State receiving a grant under this title, through reports provided to the Secretary, shall--

``(1) demonstrate the effective development, operation and expansion of a Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that meets the requirements of this title;

``(2) supply an inventory and description of the services provided to families by local programs that meet identified community needs, including core and optional services as described in section 202;

``(3) demonstrate the establishment of new respite and other specific new family resources services to address unmet needs identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 201(b)(6);

``(4) describe the number of families served, including families with children with disabilities, and the involvement of a diverse representation of families in the design, operation, and evaluation of the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs, and in the design, operation and evaluation of the individual community-based family resource and support programs that are part of the Statewide network funded under this title;

``(4) demonstrate a high level of satisfaction among families who have used the services of the community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(5) demonstrate the establishment or maintenance of innovative funding mechanisms, at the State or community level, that blend Federal, State, local and private funds, and innovative, interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms, for the development, operation, expansion and enhancement of the Statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(6) describe the results of a peer review process conducted under the State program; and

``(7) demonstrate an implementation plan to ensure the continued leadership of parents in the on-going planning, implementation, and evaluation of such community based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs.

``SEC. 208. NATIONAL NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY

RESOURCE PROGRAMS.

``The Secretary may allocate such sums as may be necessary from the amount provided under the State allotment to support the activities of the State network--

``(1) to create, operate and maintain a peer review process;

``(2) to create, operate and maintain an information clearinghouse;

``(3) to fund a yearly symposium on State system change efforts that result from the operation of the Statewide networks of community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs;

``(4) to create, operate and maintain a computerized communication system between lead entities; and

``(5) to fund State-to-State technical assistance through bi-annual conferences.

``SEC. 209. DEFINITIONS.

``(1) Children with disabilities.--The term `children with disabilities' has the same meaning given such term in section 602(a)(2) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

``(2) Community referral services.--The term `community referral services' means services provided under contract or through interagency agreements to assist families in obtaining needed information, mutual support and community resources, including respite services, health and mental health services, employability development and job training, and other social services through help lines or other methods.

``(3) Culturally competent.--The term `culturally competent' means services, support, or other assistance that is conducted or provided in a manner that--

``(A) is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, languages, and behaviors of those individuals and families receiving services; and

``(B) has the greatest likelihood of ensuring maximum participation of such individuals and families.

``(4) Family resource and support program.--The term

`family resource and support program' means a community-based, prevention-focused entity that--

``(A) provides, through direct service, the core services required under this title, including--

``(i) parent education, support and leadership services, together with services characterized by relationships between parents and professionals that are based on equality and respect, and designed to assist parents in acquiring parenting skills, learning about child development, and responding appropriately to the behavior of their children;

``(ii) services to facilitate the ability of parents to serve as resources to one another other (such as through mutual support and parent self-help groups);

``(iii) early developmental screening of children to assess any needs of children, and to identify types of support that may be provided;

``(iv) outreach services provided through voluntary home visits and other methods to assist parents in becoming aware of and able to participate in family resources and support program activities;

``(v) community and social services to assist families in obtaining community resources; and

``(vi) follow-up services;

``(B) provides, or arranges for the provision of, other core services through contracts or agreements with other local agencies, including all forms of respite services; and

``(C) provides access to optional services, directly or by contract, purchase of service, or interagency agreement, including--

``(i) child care, early childhood development and early intervention services;

``(ii) self-sufficiency and life management skills training;

``(iii) education services, such as scholastic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree services;

``(iv) job readiness skills;

``(v) child abuse and neglect prevention activities;

``(vi) services that families with children with disabilities or special needs may require;

``(vii) community and social service referral;

``(viii) peer counseling;

``(ix) referral for substance abuse counseling and treatment; and

``(x) help line services.

``(5) National network for Community-Based Family Resource Programs.--The term `network for community-based family resource program' means the organization of State designated entities who receive grants under this title, and includes the entire membership of the Children's Trust Fund Alliance and the National Respite Network.

``(6) Outreach services.--The term `outreach services' means services provided to assist consumers, through voluntary home visits or other methods, in accessing and participating in family resource and support program activities.

``(7) Respite services.--The term `respite services' means short term care services provided in the temporary absence of the regular caregiver (parent, other relative, foster parent, adoptive parent, or guardian) to children who--

``(A) are in danger of abuse or neglect;

``(B) have experienced abuse or neglect; or

``(C) have disabilities, chronic, or terminal illnesses. [[Page S8264]] Such services shall be provided within or outside the home of the child, be short-term care (ranging from a few hours to a few weeks of time, per year), and be intended to enable the family to stay together and to keep the child living in the home and community of the child.

``SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, $108,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998.''.

SEC. 202. REPEALS.

(a) Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act.--The Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 5117 et seq.) is repealed.

(b) Family Support Centers.--Subtitle F of title VII of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11481 et seq.) is repealed.

TITLE III--FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES

SEC. 301. REFERENCE.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.).

SEC. 302. STATE DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.

Section 303(e) (42 U.S.C. 10420(e)) is amended--

(1) by striking ``following local share'' and inserting

``following non-Federal matching local share''; and

(2) by striking ``20 percent'' and all that follows through

``private sources.'' and inserting ``with respect to an entity operating an existing program under this title, not less than 20 percent, and with respect to an entity intending to operate a new program under this title, not less than 35 percent.''.

SEC. 303. ALLOTMENTS.

Section 304(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 10403(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``$200,000'' and inserting ``$400,000''.

SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 310 (42 U.S.C. 10409) is amended--

(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``80'' and inserting

``70''; and

(2) by adding at the end thereof the following new subsections:

``(d) Grants for State Coalitions.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, not less than 10 percent of such amounts shall be used by the Secretary for making grants under section 311.

``(e) Non-Supplanting Requirement.--Federal funds made available to a State under this title shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the purposes of this title.''.

TITLE IV--ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 401. REFERENCE.

SEC. 402. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

Section 201 (42 U.S.C. 5111) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking ``50 percent between 1985 and 1990'' and inserting ``61 percent between 1986 and 1994''; and

(ii) by striking ``400,000 children at the end of June, 1990'' and inserting ``452,000 as of June, 1994''; and

(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``local'' and inserting

``legal''; and

``(7)(A) currently, 40,000 children are free for adoption and awaiting placement;

``(B) such children are typically school aged, in sibling groups, have experienced neglect or abuse, or have a physical, mental, or emotional disability; and

``(C) while the children are of all races, children of color and older children (over the age of 10) are over represented in such group;''; and

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) by striking ``conditions, by--'' and all that follows through ``providing a mechanism'' and inserting ``conditions, by providing a mechanism''; and

(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C), as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively and by realigning the margins of such paragraphs accordingly.

SEC. 403. INFORMATION AND SERVICES.

Section 203 (42 U.S.C. 5113) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by striking the last sentence;

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (6), to read as follows:

``(6) study the nature, scope, and effects of the placement of children in kinship care arrangements, pre-adoptive, or adoptive homes;'';

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively; and

``(7) study the efficacy of States contracting with public or private nonprofit agencies (including community-based organizations), organizations, or sectarian institutions for the recruitment of potential adoptive and foster families and to provide assistance in the placement of children for adoption;''; and

(3) in subsection (d)--

(A) in paragraph (2)--

(i) by striking ``Each'' and inserting ``(A) Each'';

(ii) by striking ``for each fiscal year'' and inserting

``that describes the manner in which the State will use funds during the 3-fiscal years subsequent to the date of the application to accomplish the purposes of this section. Such application shall be''; and

(iii) by adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph:

``(B) The Secretary shall provide, directly or by grant to or contract with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations--

``(i) technical assistance and resource and referral information to assist State or local governments with termination of parental rights issues, in recruiting and retaining adoptive families, in the successful placement of children with special needs, and in the provision of pre- and post-placement services, including post-legal adoption services; and

``(ii) other assistance to help State and local governments replicate successful adoption-related projects from other areas in the United States.''.

SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 205 (42 U.S.C. 5115) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by striking ``$10,000,000,'' and all that follows through ``1992, and''; and

(B) by inserting ``$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1997'' after

``1995,'';

(2) by striking subsection (b); and

(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

TITLE V--ABANDONED INFANTS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1986

SEC. 501. REAUTHORIZATION.

Section 104(a)(1) of the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 670 note) is amended by striking

``$20,000,000'' and all that follows through the end thereof and inserting ``$35,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 and 1996, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1997 through 2000''.

TITLE VI--REAUTHORIZATION OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS

SEC. 601. MISSING CHILDREN'S ASSISTANCE ACT.

Section 408 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5777) is amended--

(1) by striking ``To'' and inserting ``(a) In General.--''

(2) by striking ``and 1996'' and inserting ``1996, and 1997''; and

(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:

``(b) Evaluation.--The Administrator shall use not more than 5 percent of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under subsection (a) to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs and activities established and operated under this title.''.

SEC. 602. VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE ACT OF 1990.

Section 214B of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13004) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``and 1996'' and inserting ``1996, and 1997''; and

(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``and 1996'' and inserting ``1996, and 1997''.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with Senator Coats today in introducing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1995. This important legislation reauthorizes the Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) and makes several important changes to the legislation. CAPTA is the only Federal program specifically aimed at the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

Federal involvement in child welfare began with the passage of CAPTA in 1974. This act has provided critical leadership to help States identify child abuse and neglect, improve State child protective systems, and prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. CAPTA has assisted States in establishing mandatory reporting systems of child abuse and neglect. In addition, the act provided immunity from prosecution for mandated reporters who act in good faith to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. This has dramatically improved States' ability to intervene in situations where abuse has occurred. The legislation Senator Coats and I are introducing today will make significant improvements to state reporting systems by placing a stronger emphasis on training of mandated reporters and case workers and by building in an assessment component in the reporting and investigation process.

CAPTA has also provided funding for research in the field of child abuse and neglect. Research is critical to understanding this issue and to providing professionals with the necessary tools to assist children and families who may be at risk of child abuse and neglect. In addition, CAPTA has established a national clearinghouse to collect data on child abuse and neglect. [[Page S8265]] Amendments to CAPTA have been made to strengthen research efforts and to expand the clearinghouse's data collection function to include information on substantiated, unsubstantiated, and false reports of child abuse and neglect.

This legislation also seeks to encourage State and local innovation through demonstration grants in the areas of training and education, reporting and investigation of abuse and neglect, and encouraging parent mutual support and self-help programs.

The reauthorization of CAPTA also includes a prevention component that involves networks of local community-based organizations whose primary purpose is to assist families at risk of child abuse and neglect. Title II of this legislation consolidates several programs, the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act and the Family Support Centers under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, into the Community-Based Family Resource Grants program. The programs being consolidated provide a range of services to families, from respite care and support services to families with disabled children to assisting families in finding affordable housing. The grants are awarded to States that demonstrate a commitment to establishing a network of resources designed to assist families and prevent child abuse and neglect and to providing leadership in coordinating various programs and activities at the State and local levels.

The Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act Amendments of 1995 has been reauthorized at $100 million for fiscal year 1996 and such sums as necessary through fiscal year 2000.

The legislation also includes several minor technical amendments to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to reconcile differences between this and the Victims of Crime Act. In addition, Title IV and Title V reauthorize the Adoption Opportunities Act and the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act. Several technical changes have been made to the Adoption Opportunities Act to improve this program. Also, a provision has been included to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the efficacy of requiring States to contract with public, private nonprofit, and sectarian institutions for recruitment of prospective foster care and adoptive parents and for assistance with the placement of children with special needs. The Adoption Opportunities Act has been reauthorized at $20 million for fiscal year 1996 and such sums as may be necessary through fiscal year 2000. The Abandoned Infants Assistance Act has been reauthorized at $35 million for fiscal year 1996 and such sums as may be necessary through fiscal year 2000.

Finally, in conjunction with Senator Hatch, several programs under the Senate Committee on the Judiciary's jurisdiction that were included in Title II of the House welfare reform proposal, have been reauthorized under Title VI of CAPTA. They are the Missing Children's Assistance Act and the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. Both programs have been reauthorized through 1997.

I believe this legislation will make significant improvements to the reporting, prevention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect. I would like to thank Senator Coats for his strong commitment to children and his leadership on this very important issue. I hope that this legislation will receive bipartisan support from my colleagues in the Senate and that many of you will join with Senator Coats and me in ensuring its passage on the Senate floor.

____________________

SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 141, No. 96

June 13, 1995: Congressional Record publishes “STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS”

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