# Federal Register #2026-20329

HHS proposal to streamline Title IV-B child welfare regulations

**Buyer:** Administration for Children and Families
**Posted:** October 05, 2026
**Respond By:** November 04, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-20329

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- **Purpose and changes:** The HHS proposal would remove outdated, duplicative, burdensome, and unenforceable provisions; move four requirements into revised plan requirements under 45 CFR 1355.21; and remove redundant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The Administration for Children and Families proposes to remove outdated or duplicative regulations implementing title IV-B of the Social Security Act, including provisions that impose administrative and reporting requirements that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.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/05/2026-20329/reforming-federal-reporting-and-assessments-in-child-welfare)