Federal Register #2026-20329

HHS proposal to streamline Title IV-B child welfare regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposes changes to federal Title IV-B child welfare regulations. - Government entities: HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Children’s Bureau, and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, is proposing the Title IV-B changes. The attachment also mentions a separate General Services Administration (GSA) proposed rule on utility-service acquisitions. - Purpose and changes: The HHS proposal would remove outdated, duplicative, burdensome, and unenforceable provisions; move four requirements into revised plan requirements under 45 CFR 1355.21; and remove redundant cross-references. It is intended to reduce reporting and administrative burdens for state and tribal child welfare agencies, not establish new program requirements. - Estimated impact: The proposal estimates an annual reporting-burden reduction of about 29,994 hours (60.78%) and annual agency cost savings of approximately $1.4 million. These are estimated savings, not a contract value. - Procurement status: This is a proposed regulatory change, not a solicitation or award. No products, services, quantities, part numbers, OEMs, or vendors are requested or identified.

Description

The Administration for Children and Families proposes to remove outdated or duplicative regulations implementing title IV-B of the Social Security Act, including provisions that impose administrative and reporting requirements that do not meaningfully support federal oversight. Four requirements would be redesignated as title IV-B and IV-E plan requirements. The proposal would also remove regulations describing child and family services review principles because they provide unenforceable recommendations, as well as redundant cross-references. If finalized, the changes would affect state and tribal title IV-B agencies and would not create new requirements.

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