ACTION

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

DESCRIPTION OF H.R. 3073 AS APPROVED:

Title I. Grant Program

Purpose: To be eligible for grants, public and private projects would present detailed information on how they would work with poor and low-income fathers to achieve three purposes: promote marriage through counseling, mentoring, and other activities; promote successful parenting through counseling, disseminating information about good parenting practices including the payment of child support, and other activities; and help fathers increase their income.

Applications: An entity hoping to conduct a fatherhood project would submit to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an application that contains a description of the project and its plan to address all three purposes of the grant program. Projects would enroll individuals who are the father of a child who is, or in the past 24 months had been, a recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Welfare-to-Work program, or an expectant or married father with income below 150 percent of the poverty line after paying court-ordered child support.

Interagency Panels: Two bipartisan panels, appointed by the Administration and by Congress, would be established to review applications and make recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding which applicants should be awarded grants. Each panel would award about $70 million for projects that receive four years of funding.

Preferences: In selecting projects for funding, preference would be given to projects that: encourage payment of child support; have written agreements of cooperation with private and government agencies; enroll a high percentage of participants within six months before or after the birth of the child; and explain clear and practical methods by which fathers will be recruited. Not less than 75 percent of the projects would be sponsored by either non-governmental, including faith-based, organizations, or by government organizations that pass through at least 50 percent of project funds to non-governmental organizations.

Other Characteristics of Projects: Fathers participating in project work activities would be prohibited from filling a job vacancy if any individual is on layoff from the same or an equivalent job with that employer or if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee to create the vacancy. Mothers, expectant mothers, and married mothers would be eligible for services.

Evaluations: The Secretary of HHS would be provided with $6 million to conduct scientific evaluations of the projects funded under this program.

Charitable Choice: The charitable choice provision of the welfare reform law of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) would apply to these fatherhood grants; this provision would allow States to contract with charitable, religious, or private organizations to deliver services.

Title II. Projects of National Significance

National Clearinghouse: To establish a national clearinghouse of information about fatherhood programs, the Secretary of HHS would make a $5 million grant to a nationally recognized nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization.

Multicity Fatherhood Projects: The Secretary of HHS would award a $5 million grant to each of two nationally recognized nonprofit fatherhood promotion organizations that have several years of experience in designing and conducting fatherhood programs.

Title III. Welfare-to-Work Program Eligibility

Flexibility in Eligibility for Participation in Welfare-to-Work Program: Eligibility would be expanded for both long-term welfare recipients and noncustodial parents with children on public assistance programs.

Title IV. Alternative Penalty Procedure Relating to State Disbursement Units

If the Secretary of HHS determines that a State would fail to meet the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) requirements of current law but has submitted a corrective compliance plan by April l, 2000, that describes how, by when, and at what cost the State would achieve compliance with the SDU requirement, the Secretary of HHS would not disapprove the State child support enforcement plan. In addition, the Secretary of HHS would reduce the amount the State would otherwise have received in Federal child support payments by the penalty amount for the fiscal year. If a State that is subject to a penalty achieves compliance on or before April l, 2000, the Secretary of HHS would waive all penalties; if a State achieves compliance on or after April 1, 2000, and on or before September 30, 2000, the penalty amount would be one percent. The Secretary of HHS would not be able to impose a penalty against a State for a fiscal year for which the State has already been penalized for noncompliance with statutory requirements on automated data processing.

Title V. Financing Provisions

The Secretary of HHS would comply with any request from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education for information in the National Directory of New Hires on the address or employer of any individual who is in default on payment of a student loan. The $100 million (for fiscal year 1999) Welfare-to-Work bonus for States with high performance would be repealed.

Title VI. Miscellaneous

The Secretary of HHS would be authorized to spend funds on the evaluation of the Abstinence Education Program through fiscal year 2005. Within six months of enactment, the Secretary of HHS would prepare a report on the procedures States use to locate custodial parents for whom child support has been collected but not yet distributed due to a change of address. Congress wishes to clarify that States could use funds from their TANF program to support fatherhood activities like those authorized under this legislation. Additional funds would be available for an evaluation study of the effects of the 1996 welfare reform law. Training funds would be available for judges and other court personnel that work on child abuse and neglect cases. State Unemployment Insurance programs would be authorized to have access to interstate cases in the New Hire database maintained by the child support program for the purpose of recovering overpayments.
 
 
 
 
 

HR 3073 RFS

To amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide for grants for projects designed to promote responsible fatherhood, and for other purposes.

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 `Fathers Count Act of 1999'.

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--FATHERHOOD GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Fatherhood grants.

TITLE II--FATHERHOOD PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Sec. 201. Fatherhood projects of national significance.

TITLE III--WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Sec. 301. Flexibility in eligibility for participation in welfare-to-work program.

Sec. 302. Limited vocational educational and job training included as allowable activity.

Sec. 303. Certain grantees authorized to provide employment services directly.

Sec. 304. Simplification and coordination of reporting requirements.

Sec. 305. Use of State information to aid administration of welfare-to-work formula grant funds.

TITLE IV--ALTERNATIVE PENALTY PROCEDURE RELATING TO STATE DISBURSEMENT UNITS

Sec. 401. Alternative penalty procedure relating to State disbursement units.

TITLE V--FINANCING PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Use of new hire information to assist in collection of defaulted student loans and grants.

Sec. 502. Elimination of set-aside of portion of welfare-to-work funds for successful performance bonus.

TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Change dates for evaluation.

Sec. 602. Report on undistributed child support payments.

Sec. 603. Sense of the Congress.

Sec. 604. Additional funding for welfare evaluation study.

Sec. 605. Training in child abuse and neglect proceedings.

Sec. 606. Use of new hire information to assist in administration of unemployment compensation programs.

Sec. 607. Immigration provisions.

SEC. 101. FATHERHOOD GRANTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601-619) is amended by inserting after section 403 the following:

`SEC. 403A. FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS.

`(a) PURPOSE- The purpose of this section is to make grants available to public and private entities for projects designed to--

`(1) promote marriage through counseling, mentoring, disseminating information about the advantages of marriage, enhancing relationship skills, teaching how to control aggressive behavior, and other methods;

`(2) promote successful parenting through counseling, mentoring, disseminating information about good parenting practices including prepregnancy, family planning, training parents in money management, encouraging child support payments, encouraging regular visitation between fathers and their children, and other methods; and

`(3) help fathers and their families avoid or leave cash welfare provided by the program under part A and improve their economic status by providing work first services, job search, job training, subsidized employment, career-advancing education, job retention, job enhancement, and other methods.

`(b) FATHERHOOD GRANTS-

`(1) APPLICATIONS- An entity desiring a grant to carry out a project described in subsection (a) may submit to the Secretary an application that contains the following:

`(A) A description of the project and how the project will be carried out.

`(B) A description of how the project will address all three of the purposes of this section.

`(C) A written commitment by the entity that the project will allow an individual to participate in the project only if the individual is--

`(i) a father of a child who is, or within the past 24 months has been, a recipient of assistance or services under a State program funded under this part;

`(ii) a father, including an expectant or married father, whose income (net of court-ordered child support) is less than 150 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision required by such section, applicable to a family of the size involved); or

`(iii) a parent referred to in paragraph (3)(A)(iii).

`(D) A written commitment by the entity that the entity will provide for the project, from funds obtained from non-Federal sources, amounts (including in-kind contributions) equal in value to--

`(i) 20 percent of the amount of any grant made to the entity under this subsection; or

`(ii) such lesser percentage as the Secretary deems appropriate (which shall be not less than 10 percent) of such amount, if the application demonstrates that there are circumstances that limit the ability of the entity to raise funds or obtain resources.

`(E) A written commitment by the entity that the entity will make available to each individual participating in the project education about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and the effects of abusing such substances, and information about HIV/AIDS and its transmission.

`(2) CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS BY INTERAGENCY PANELS-

`(A) FIRST PANEL-

`(i) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established a panel to be known as the `Fatherhood Grants Recommendations Panel' (in this subparagraph referred to as the `Panel').

`(ii) MEMBERSHIP-

`(I) IN GENERAL- The Panel shall be composed of 10 members, as follows:

`(bb) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor.

`(cc) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.

`(dd) One member of the Panel shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.

`(ee) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

`(ff) One member of the Panel shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

`(II) QUALIFICATIONS- An individual shall not be eligible to serve on the Panel unless the individual has experience in programs for fathers, programs for the poor, programs for children, program administration, or program research.

`(III) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST- An individual shall not be eligible to serve on the Panel if such service would pose a conflict of interest for the individual.

`(IV) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS- The appointment of members to the Panel shall be completed not later than March 1, 2000.

`(iii) DUTIES-

`(I) REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROJECT APPLICATIONS- The Panel shall review all applications submitted pursuant to paragraph (1), and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding which applicants should be awarded grants under this subsection, with due regard for the provisions of paragraph (3), but shall not recommend that a project be awarded such a grant if the application describing the project does not attempt to meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(B).

`(II) TIMING- The Panel shall make such recommendations not later than September 1, 2000.

`(iv) TERM OF OFFICE- Each member appointed to the Panel shall serve for the life of the Panel.

`(v) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION- Members of the Panel may not receive pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Panel.

`(vi) TRAVEL EXPENSES- Each member of the Panel shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

`(vii) MEETINGS- The Panel shall meet as often as is necessary to complete the business of the Panel.

`(viii) CHAIRPERSON- The Chairperson of the Panel shall be designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment.

`(ix) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES- The Secretary may detail any personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor may detail any personnel of the Department of Labor to the Panel to assist the Panel in carrying out its duties under this subparagraph.

`(x) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA- The Panel may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this subparagraph. On request of the Chairperson of the Panel, the head of the department or agency shall furnish that information to the Panel.

`(xi) MAILS- The Panel may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

`(xii) TERMINATION- The Panel shall terminate on September 1, 2000.

`(B) SECOND PANEL-

`(i) ESTABLISHMENT- Effective January 1, 2001, there is established a panel to be known as the `Fatherhood Grants Recommendations Panel' (in this subparagraph referred to as the `Panel').

`(ii) MEMBERSHIP-

`(I) IN GENERAL- The Panel shall be composed of 10 members, as follows:

`(bb) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor.

`(cc) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.

`(dd) One member of the Panel shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.

`(ee) Two members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

`(ff) One member of the Panel shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

`(II) QUALIFICATIONS- An individual shall not be eligible to serve on the Panel unless the individual has experience in programs for fathers, programs for the poor, programs for children, program administration, or program research.

`(III) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST- An individual shall not be eligible to serve on the Panel if such service would pose a conflict of interest for the individual.

`(IV) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS- The appointment of members to the Panel shall be completed not later than March 1, 2001.

`(iii) DUTIES-

`(I) REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROJECT APPLICATIONS- The Panel shall review all applications submitted pursuant to paragraph (1), and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding which applicants should be awarded grants under this subsection, with due regard for the provisions of paragraph (3), but shall not recommend that a project be awarded such a grant if the application describing the project does not attempt to meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(B).

`(II) TIMING- The Panel shall make such recommendations not later than September 1, 2001.

`(iv) TERM OF OFFICE- Each member appointed to the Panel shall serve for the life of the Panel.

`(v) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION- Members of the Panel may not receive pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Panel.

`(vi) TRAVEL EXPENSES- Each member of the Panel shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

`(vii) MEETINGS- The Panel shall meet as often as is necessary to complete the business of the Panel.

`(viii) CHAIRPERSON- The Chairperson of the Panel shall be designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment.

`(ix) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES- The Secretary may detail any personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor may detail any personnel of the Department of Labor to the Panel to assist the Panel in carrying out its duties under this subparagraph.

`(x) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA- The Panel may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this subparagraph. On request of the Chairperson of the Panel, the head of the department or agency shall furnish that information to the Panel.

`(xi) MAILS- The Panel may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

`(xii) TERMINATION- The Panel shall terminate on September 1, 2001.

`(3) MATCHING GRANTS-

`(A) GRANT AWARDS-

`(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award matching grants, on a competitive basis, among entities submitting applications therefor which meet the requirements of paragraph (1), in amounts that take into account the written commitments referred to in paragraph (1)(D).

`(ii) TIMING-

`(I) FIRST ROUND- On October 1, 2000, the Secretary shall award not more than $70,000,000 in matching grants after considering the recommendations submitted pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(iii)(I).

`(II) SECOND ROUND- On October 1, 2001, the Secretary shall award not more than $70,000,000 in matching grants after considering the recommendations submitted pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(I).

`(iii) NONDISCRIMINATION- The provisions of this section shall be applied and administered so as to ensure that mothers, expectant mothers, and married mothers are eligible for benefits and services under projects awarded grants under this section on the same basis as fathers, expectant fathers, and married fathers.

`(B) PREFERENCES- In determining which entities to which to award grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give preference to an entity--

`(i) to the extent that the application submitted by the entity describes actions that the entity will take that are designed to encourage or facilitate the payment of child support, including but not limited to--

`(I) obtaining agreements with the State in which the project will be carried out under which the State will exercise its authority under the last sentence of section 457(a)(2)(B)(iv) in every case in which such authority may be exercised;

`(II) obtaining a written commitment by the agency responsible for administering the State plan approved under part D for the State in which the project is to be carried out that the State will voluntarily cancel child support arrearages owed to the State by the father as a result of the father providing various supports to the family such as maintaining a regular child support payment schedule or living with his children;

`(III) obtaining a written commitment by the entity that the entity will help participating fathers who cooperate with the agency in improving their credit rating; and

`(IV) helping fathers arrange and maintain a consistent schedule of visits with their children;

`(ii) to the extent that the application includes written agreements of cooperation with other private and governmental agencies, including the State or local program funded under this part, the local Workforce Investment Board, the State or local program funded under part D, and the State or local program funded under part E, which should include a description of the services each such agency will provide to fathers participating in the project described in the application;

`(iii) to the extent that the application describes a project that will enroll a high percentage of project participants within 6 months before or after the birth of the child; or

`(iv) to the extent that the application sets forth clear and practical methods by which fathers will be recruited to participate in the project.

`(C) MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF RECIPIENTS OF GRANT FUNDS TO BE NONGOVERNMENTAL (INCLUDING FAITH-BASED) ORGANIZATIONS- Not less than 75 percent of the entities awarded grants under this subsection in each fiscal year (other than entities awarded such grants pursuant to the preferences required by subparagraph (B)) shall be awarded to--

`(i) nongovernmental (including faith-based) organizations; or

`(ii) governmental organizations that pass through to organizations referred to in clause (i) at least 50 percent of the amount of the grant.

`(D) DIVERSITY OF PROJECTS-

`(i) IN GENERAL- In determining which entities to which to award grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall attempt to achieve a balance among entities of differing sizes, entities in differing geographic areas, entities in urban versus rural areas, and entities employing differing methods of achieving the purposes of this section.

`(ii) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS- Within 90 days after each award of grants under subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a brief report on the diversity of projectes selected to receive funds under the grant program. The report shall include a comparison of funding for projects located in urban areas, projects located in suburban areas, and projects located in rural areas.

`(E) PAYMENT OF GRANT IN FOUR EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS- During the fiscal year in which a grant is awarded under this subsection and each of the succeeding three fiscal years, the Secretary shall provide to the entity awarded the grant an amount equal to 1/4 of the amount of the grant.

`(4) USE OF FUNDS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Each entity to which a grant is made under this subsection shall use grant funds provided under this subsection in accordance with the application requesting the grant, the requirements of this subsection, and the regulations prescribed under this subsection, and may use the grant funds to support community-wide initiatives to address the purposes of this section.

`(B) NONDISPLACEMENT-

`(i) IN GENERAL- An adult in a work activity described in section 407(d) which is funded, in whole or in part, by funds provided under this section shall not be employed or assigned--

`(I) when any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job; or

`(II) if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with such an adult.

`(ii) GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE-

`(I) IN GENERAL- Complaints alleging violations of clause (i) in a State may be resolved--

`(bb) otherwise, pursuant to the grievance procedure established by the State under section 407(f)(3).

`(II) FORFEITURE OF GRANT IF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE NOT AVAILABLE- If a complaint referred to in subclause (I) is made against an entity to which a grant has been made under this section with respect to a project, and the complaint cannot be brought to, or cannot be resolved within 90 days after being brought, by a grievance procedure referred to in subclause (I), then the entity shall immediately return to the Secretary all funds provided to the entity under this section for the project, and the Secretary shall immediately rescind the grant.

`(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- This section shall not be construed to require the participation of a father in a project funded under this section to be discontinued by the project on the basis of changed economic circumstances of the father.

`(D) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION ON MARRIAGE- This section shall not be construed to authorize the Secretary to define marriage for purposes of this section.

`(E) PENALTY FOR MISUSE OF GRANT FUNDS- If the Secretary determines that an entity to which a grant is made under this subsection has used any amount of the grant in violation of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall require the entity to remit to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount so used, plus all remaining grant funds, and the entity shall thereafter be ineligible for any grant under this subsection.

`(F) REMITTANCE OF UNUSED GRANT FUNDS- Each entity to which a grant is awarded under this subsection shall remit to the Secretary all funds paid under the grant that remain at the end of the fifth fiscal year ending after the initial grant award.

`(5) AUTHORITY OF AGENCIES TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION- Each agency administering a program funded under this part or a State plan approved under part D may share the name, address, telephone number, and identifying case number information in the State program funded under this part, of fathers for purposes of assisting in determining the eligibility of fathers to participate in projects receiving grants under this section, and in contacting fathers potentially eligible to participate in the projects, subject to all applicable privacy laws.

`(6) EVALUATION- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall, directly or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct an evaluation of projects funded under this section (other than under subsection (c)(1)). The evaluation shall assess, among other outcomes selected by the Secretary, effects of the projects on marriage, parenting, employment, earnings, and payment of child support. In selecting projects for the evaluation, the Secretary should include projects that, in the Secretary's judgment, are most likely to impact the matters described in the purposes of this section. In conducting the evaluation, random assignment should be used wherever possible.

`(7) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.

`(8) LIMITATION ON APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS PART- Sections 404 through 410 shall not apply to this section or to amounts paid under this section, and shall not be applied to an entity solely by reason of receipt of funds pursuant to this section. A project shall not be considered a State program funded under this part solely by reason of receipt of funds paid under this section.

`(9) FUNDING-

`(A) IN GENERAL-

`(i) INTERAGENCY PANELS- Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 403(a)(1)(E) to carry out this section for fiscal years 2000 and 2001, a total of $150,000 shall be made available for the interagency panels established by paragraph (2) of this subsection.

`(ii) GRANTS- Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 403(a)(1)(E) to carry out this section, there shall be made available for grants under this subsection--

`(I) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2001;

`(II) $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004; and

`(III) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2005.

`(iii) EVALUATION- Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 403(a)(1)(E) to carry out this section for fiscal years 2000 through 2006, a total of $6,000,000 shall be made available for the evaluation required by paragraph (6) of this subsection.

`(B) AVAILABILITY-

`(i) GRANT FUNDS- The amounts made available pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) shall remain available until the end of fiscal year 2005.

`(ii) EVALUATION FUNDS- The amounts made available pursuant to subparagraph (A)(iii) shall remain available until the end of fiscal year 2007.'.

(b) FUNDING- Section 403(a)(1)(E) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(E)) is amended by inserting `, and for fiscal years 2000 through 2006, such sums as are necessary to carry out section 403A' before the period.

(c) AUTHORITY TO STATES TO PASS THROUGH CHILD SUPPORT ARREARAGES COLLECTED THROUGH TAX REFUND INTERCEPT TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE CEASED TO RECEIVE CASH ASSISTANCE; FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE SHARE OF SUCH PASSED THROUGH ARREARAGES- Section 457(a)(2)(B)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 657(a)(2)(B)(iv)) is amended--

(1) by inserting `(except the last sentence of this clause)' after `this section'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following: `Notwithstanding the preceding sentences of this clause, if the amount is collected on behalf of a family that includes a child of a participant in a project funded under section 403A and that has ceased to receive cash payments under a State program funded under section 403, then the State may distribute the amount collected pursuant to section 464 to the family, and the aggregate of the amounts otherwise required by this section to be paid by the State to the Federal government shall be reduced by an amount equal to the State share of the amount collected pursuant to section 464 that would otherwise be retained as reimbursement for assistance paid to the family.'.

(d) APPLICABILITY OF CHARITABLE CHOICE PROVISIONS OF WELFARE REFORM- Section 104 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 604a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(l) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, this section shall apply to any entity to which funds have been provided under section 403A of the Social Security Act in the same manner in which this section applies to States, and, for purposes of this section, any project for which such funds are so provided shall be considered a program described in subsection (a)(2).'.

SEC. 201. FATHERHOOD PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Section 403A of the Social Security Act, as added by title I of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(c) FATHERHOOD PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE-

`(1) NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE- The Secretary shall award a $5,000,000 grant to a nationally recognized, nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization with at least 4 years of experience in designing and disseminating a national public education campaign, including the production and successful placement of television, radio, and print public service announcements which promote the importance of responsible fatherhood, and with at least 4 years experience providing consultation and training to community-based organizations interested in implementing fatherhood outreach, support, or skill development programs with an emphasis on promoting married fatherhood as the ideal, to--

`(A) develop, promote, and distribute to interested States, local governments, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, including charitable and religious organizations, a media campaign that encourages the appropriate involvement of both parents in the life of any child of the parents, and encourages such organizations to develope or sponsor programs that specifically address the issue of responsible fatherhood and the advantages conferred on children by marriage;

`(B) develop a national clearinghouse to assist States, communities, and private entities in efforts to promote and support marriage and responsible fatherhood by collecting, evaluating, and making available (through the Internet and by other means) to all interested parties, information regarding media campaigns and fatherhood programs;

`(C) develop and distribute materials that are for use by entities described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and that help young adults manage their money, develop the knowledge and skills needed to promote successful marriages, plan for future expenditures and investments, and plan for retirement;

`(D) develop and distribute materials that are for use by entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) and that list all the sources of public support for education and training that are available to young adults, including government spending programs as well as benefits under Federal and State tax laws.

`(2) MULTICITY FATHERHOOD PROJECTS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award a $5,000,000 grant to each of two nationally recognized nonprofit fatherhood promotion organizations which meet the requirements of subparagraph (B), at least one of which organizations meets the requirement of subparagraph (C).

`(B) REQUIREMENTS- The requirements of this subparagraph are the following:

`(i) The organization must have several years of experience in designing and conducting programs that meet the purposes described in paragraph (1).

`(ii) The organization must have experience in simultaneously conducting such programs in more than one major metropolitan area and in coordinating such programs with local government agencies and private, nonprofit agencies, including State or local agencies responsible for conducting the program under part D and Workfore Investment Boards.

`(iii) The organization must submit to the Secretary an application that meets all the conditions applicable to the organization under this section and that provides for projects to be conducted in three major metropolitan areas.

`(C) USE OF MARRIED COUPLES TO DELIVER SERVICES IN THE INNER CITY- The requirement of this subparagraph is that the organization has extensive experience in using married couples to deliver program services in the inner city.

`(3) PAYMENT OF GRANTS IN FOUR EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS- During each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005, the Secretary shall provide to each entity awarded a grant under this subsection an amount equal to 1/4 of the amount of the grant.

`(4) FUNDING-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 403(a)(1)(E) to carry out this section, $3,750,000 shall be made available for grants under this subsection for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005.

`(B) AVAILABILITY- The amounts made available pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall remain available until the end of fiscal year 2005.'.

SEC. 301. FLEXIBILITY IN ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:

`(ii) GENERAL ELIGIBILITY- An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may expend funds provided to the project for the benefit of recipients of assistance under the program funded under this part of the State in which the entity is located who--

`(I) has received assistance under the State program funded under this part (whether in effect before or after the amendments made by section 103 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 first apply to the State) for at least 30 months (whether or not consecutive); or

`(II) within 12 months, will become ineligible for assistance under the State program funded under this part by reason of a durational limit on such assistance, without regard to any exemption provided pursuant to section 408(a)(7)(C) that may apply to the individual.'.

(b) NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)) is amended--

(A) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (viii) as clauses (iv) through (ix), respectively; and

(B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:

`(iii) NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS- An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may use the funds to provide services in a form described in clause (i) to noncustodial parents with respect to whom the requirements of the following subclauses are met:

`(I) The noncustodial parent is unemployed, underemployed, or having difficulty in paying child support obligations.

`(II) At least one of the following applies to a minor child of the noncustodial parent (with preference in the determination of the noncustodial parents to be provided services under this paragraph to be provided by the entity to those noncustodial parents with minor children who meet, or who have custodial parents who meet, the requirements of item (aa)):

`(bb) The minor child is eligible for, or is receiving, benefits under the program funded under this part.

`(cc) The minor child received benefits under the program funded under this part in the 12-month period preceding the date of the determination but no longer receives such benefits.

`(dd) The minor child is eligible for, or is receiving, assistance under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, benefits under the supplemental security income program under title XVI of this Act, medical assistance under title XIX of this Act, or child health assistance under title XXI of this Act.

`(III) In the case of a noncustodial parent who becomes enrolled in the project on or after the date of the enactment of this clause, the noncustodial parent is in compliance with the terms of an oral or written personal responsibility contract entered into among the noncustodial parent, the entity, and (unless the entity demonstrates to the Secretary that the entity is not capable of coordinating with such agency) the agency responsible for administering the State plan under part D, which was developed taking into account the employment and child support status of the noncustodial parent, which was entered into not later than 30 (or, at the option of the entity, not later than 90) days after the noncustodial parent was enrolled in the project, and which, at a minimum, includes the following:

`(bb) A commitment by the noncustodial parent to cooperate in the payment of child support for the minor child, which may include a modification of an existing support order to take into account the ability of the noncustodial parent to pay such support and the participation of such parent in the project.

`(cc) A commitment by the noncustodial parent to participate in employment or related activities that will enable the noncustodial parent to make regular child support payments, and if the noncustodial parent has not attained 20 years of age, such related activities may include completion of high school, a general equivalency degree, or other education directly related to employment.

`(dd) A description of the services to be provided under this paragraph, and a commitment by the noncustodial parent to participate in such services, that are designed to assist the noncustodial parent obtain and retain employment, increase earnings, and enhance the financial and emotional contributions to the well-being of the minor child.

In order to protect custodial parents and children who may be at risk of domestic violence, the preceding provisions of this subclause shall not be construed to affect any other provision of law requiring a custodial parent to cooperate in establishing the paternity of a child or establishing or enforcing a support order with respect to a child, or entitling a custodial parent to refuse, for good cause, to provide such cooperation as a condition of assistance or benefit under any program, shall not be construed to require such cooperation by the custodial parent as a condition of participation of either parent in the program authorized under this paragraph, and shall not be construed to require a custodial parent to cooperate with or participate in any activity under this clause. The entity operating a project under this clause with funds provided under this paragraph shall consult with domestic violence prevention and intervention organizations in the development of the project.'.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 412(a)(3)(C)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 612(a)(3)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking `(vii)' and inserting `(viii)'.

(c) RECIPIENTS WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF LONG-TERM DEPENDENCY; CHILDREN AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5)(C)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(iv)), as so redesignated by subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section, is amended--

(A) by striking `or' at the end of subclause (I); and

(B) by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:

`(II) to children--

`(bb) who, before attaining 18 years of age, were recipients of foster care maintenance payments (as defined in section 475(4)) under part E or were in foster care under the responsibility of a State; or

`(III) to recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part, determined to have significant barriers to self-sufficiency, pursuant to criteria established by the local private industry council.'.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 403(a)(5)(C)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(iv)), as so redesignated by subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section, is amended--

(A) in the heading by inserting `HARD TO EMPLOY' before `INDIVIDUALS'; and

(B) in the last sentence by striking `clause (ii)' and inserting `clauses (ii) and (iii) and, as appropriate, clause (v)'.

(d) CUSTODIAL PARENTS WITH INCOME BELOW POVERTY LINE WHO ARE NOT ON WELFARE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)), as amended by subsection (b)(1) of this section, is amended--

(A) by redesignating clauses (vi) through (ix) as clauses (vii) through (x), respectively; and

(B) by inserting after clause (v) the following:

`(vi) CUSTODIAL PARENTS WITH INCOME BELOW POVERTY LINE WHO ARE NOT ON WELFARE- An entity that operates a project with funds provided under this paragraph may use the funds to provide assistance in a form described in clause (i) to custodial parents--

`(I) whose income is less than 100 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision required by such section, applicable to a family of the size involved); and

`(II) who are not otherwise recipients of assistance under a State program funded under this part.'.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-

(A) Section 403(a)(5)(C)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(iv)), as so redesignated by subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section, and as amended by subsection (c)(2) of this section, is amended in the last sentence by striking `clause (v)' and inserting `clauses (v) and (vi)'.

(B) Section 412(a)(3)(C)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 612(a)(3)(C)(ii)), as amended by subsection (b)(2) of this section, is amended by striking `(viii)' and inserting `(ix)'.

(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 404(k)(1)(C)(iii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 604(k)(1)(C)(iii)) is amended by striking `item (aa) or (bb) of section 403(a)(5)(C)(ii)(II)' and inserting `section 403(a)(5)(C)(iii)'.

SEC. 302. LIMITED VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND JOB TRAINING INCLUDED AS ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.

Section 403(a)(5)(C)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(i)) is amended by inserting after subclause (VI) the following:

`(VII) Not more than 6 months of vocational educational or job training.'.

SEC. 303. CERTAIN GRANTEES AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIRECTLY.

Section 403(a)(5)(C)(i)(IV) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)(i)(IV)) is amended by inserting `, or if the entity is not a private industry council or workforce investment board, the direct provision of such services' before the period.

SEC. 304. SIMPLIFICATION AND COORDINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) ELIMINATION OF CURRENT REQUIREMENTS- Section 411(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)(A)) is amended--

(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting `(except for information relating to activities carried out under section 403(a)(5))' after `part'; and

(2) by striking clause (xviii).

(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF REPORTING REQUIREMENT- Section 403(a)(5)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(C)), as amended by subsections (b)(1) and (d)(1) of section 301 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(xi) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, States, and organizations that represent State or local governments, shall establish requirements for the collection and maintenance of financial and participant information and the reporting of such information by entities carrying out activities under this paragraph.'.

SEC. 305. USE OF STATE INFORMATION TO AID ADMINISTRATION OF WELFARE-TO-WORK GRANT FUNDS.

(a) AUTHORITY OF STATE AGENCIES TO DISCLOSE TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCILS THE NAMES, ADDRESSESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF POTENTIAL WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS-

(1) STATE IV-D AGENCIES- Section 454A(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654a(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(5) PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCILS RECEIVING WELFARE-TO-WORK GRANTS- Disclosing to a private industry council (as defined in section 403(a)(5)(D)(ii)) to which funds are provided under section 403(a)(5) the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and identifying case number information in the State program funded under part A, of noncustodial parents residing in the service delivery area of the private industry council, for the purpose of identifying and contacting noncustodial parents regarding participation in the program under section 403(a)(5).'.

(2) STATE TANF AGENCIES- Section 403(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(K) INFORMATION DISCLOSURE- If a State to which a grant is made under section 403 establishes safeguards against the use or disclosure of information about applicants or recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part, the safeguards shall not prevent the State agency administering the program from furnishing to a private industry council the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and identifying case number information in the State program funded under this part, of noncustodial parents residing in the service delivery area of the private industry council, for the purpose of identifying and contacting noncustodial parents regarding participation in the program under this paragraph.'.

(b) SAFEGUARDING OF INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCILS- Section 403(a)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(A)(ii)(I)) is amended--

(1) by striking `and' at the end of item (dd);

(2) by striking the period at the end of item (ee) and inserting `; and'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

SEC. 401. ALTERNATIVE PENALTY PROCEDURE RELATING TO STATE DISBURSEMENT UNITS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 455(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 655(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(5)(A)(i) If--

`(I) the Secretary determines that a State plan under section 454 would (in the absence of this paragraph) be disapproved for the failure of the State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27), and that the State has made and is continuing to make a good faith effort to so comply; and

`(II) the State has submitted to the Secretary, not later than April 1, 2000, a corrective compliance plan that describes how, by when, and at what cost the State will achieve such compliance, which has been approved by the Secretary,

then the Secretary shall not disapprove the State plan under section 454, and the Secretary shall reduce the amount otherwise payable to the State under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection for the fiscal year by the penalty amount.

`(ii) All failures of a State during a fiscal year to comply with any of the requirements of section 454B shall be considered a single failure of the State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27) during the fiscal year for purposes of this paragraph.

`(B) In this paragraph:

`(i) The term `penalty amount' means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27)--

`(I) 4 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the first fiscal year in which such a failure by the State occurs (regardless of whether a penalty is imposed in that fiscal year under this paragraph with respect to the failure), except as provided in subparagraph (C)(ii) of this paragraph;

`(II) 8 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the second such fiscal year;

`(III) 16 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the third such fiscal year;

`(IV) 25 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the fourth such fiscal year; or

`(V) 30 percent of the penalty base, in the case of the fifth or any subsequent such fiscal year.

`(ii) The term `penalty base' means, with respect to a failure of a State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27) during a fiscal year, the amount otherwise payable to the State under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection for the preceding fiscal year.

`(C)(i) The Secretary shall waive all penalties imposed against a State under this paragraph for any failure of the State to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27) if the Secretary determines that, before April 1, 2000, the State has achieved such compliance.

`(ii) If a State with respect to which a reduction is required to be made under this paragraph with respect to a failure to comply with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 454(27) achieves such compliance on or after April 1, 2000, and on or before September 30, 2000, then the penalty amount applicable to the State shall be 1 percent of the penalty base with respect to the failure involved.

`(D) The Secretary may not impose a penalty under this paragraph against a State for a fiscal year for which the amount otherwise payable to the State under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection is reduced under paragraph (4) of this subsection for failure to comply with section 454(24)(A).'.

(b) INAPPLICABILITY OF PENALTY UNDER TANF PROGRAM- Section 409(a)(8)(A)(i)(III) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(8)(A)(i)(III)) is amended by striking `section 454(24)' and inserting `paragraph (24), or subparagraph (A) or (B)(i) of paragraph (27), of section 454'.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 1999.

SEC. 501. USE OF NEW HIRE INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN COLLECTION OF DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS AND GRANTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 453(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(6) INFORMATION COMPARISONS AND DISCLOSURE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF OBLIGATIONS ON HIGHER EDUCATION ACT LOANS AND GRANTS-

`(A) FURNISHING OF INFORMATION BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION- The Secretary of Education shall furnish to the Secretary, on a quarterly basis or at such less frequent intervals as may be determined by the Secretary of Education, information in the custody of the Secretary of Education for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires, in order to obtain the information in such directory with respect to individuals who--

`(i) are borrowers of loans made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that are in default; or

`(ii) owe an obligation to refund an overpayment of a grant awarded under such title.

`(B) REQUIREMENT TO SEEK MINIMUM INFORMATION NECESSARY- The Secretary of Education shall seek information pursuant to this section only to the extent essential to improving collection of the debt described in subparagraph (A).

`(C) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY-

`(i) INFORMATION COMPARISON; DISCLOSURE TO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION- The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, shall compare information in the National Directory of New Hires with information in the custody of the Secretary of Education, and disclose information in that Directory to the Secretary of Education, in accordance with this paragraph, for the purposes specified in this paragraph.

`(ii) CONDITION ON DISCLOSURE- The Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance with clause (i) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosures do not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part. Support collection under section 466(b) shall be given priority over collection of any defaulted student loan or grant overpayment against the same income.

`(D) USE OF INFORMATION BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION- The Secretary of Education may use information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only--

`(i) for the purpose of collection of the debt described in subparagraph (A) owed by an individual whose annualized wage level (determined by taking into consideration information from the National Directory of New Hires) exceeds $16,000; and

`(ii) after removal of personal identifiers, to conduct analyses of student loan defaults.

`(E) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION-

`(i) DISCLOSURES PERMITTED- The Secretary of Education may disclose information resulting from a data match pursuant to this paragraph only to--

`(I) a guaranty agency holding a loan made under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on which the individual is obligated;

`(II) a contractor or agent of the guaranty agency described in subclause (I);

`(III) a contractor or agent of the Secretary; and

`(IV) the Attorney General.

`(ii) PURPOSE OF DISCLOSURE- The Secretary of Education may make a disclosure under clause (i) only for the purpose of collection of the debts owed on defaulted student loans, or overpayments of grants, made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

`(iii) RESTRICTION ON REDISCLOSURE- An entity to which information is disclosed under clause (i) may use or disclose such information only as needed for the purpose of collecting on defaulted student loans, or overpayments of grants, made under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

`(F) REIMBURSEMENT OF HHS COSTS- The Secretary of Education shall reimburse the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (k)(3), for the additional costs incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information requested under this subparagraph.'.

(b) PENALTIES FOR MISUSE OF INFORMATION- Section 402(a) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 669) is amended in the matter added by paragraph (2) by inserting `or any other person' after `officer or employee of the United States'.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall become effective October 1, 1999.

SEC. 502. ELIMINATION OF SET-ASIDE OF PORTION OF WELFARE-TO-WORK FUNDS FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE BONUS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)) is amended by striking subparagraph (E) and redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (K) (as added by section 305(a)(2) of this Act) as subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-

(1) Section 403(a)(5)(A)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(A)(i)) is amended by striking `subparagraph (I)' and inserting `subparagraph (H)'.

(2) Subclause (I) of each of subparagraphs (A)(iv) and (B)(v) of section 403(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(A)(iv)(I) and (B)(v)(I)) is amended--

(A) in item (aa)--

(i) by striking `(I)' and inserting `(H)'; and

(ii) by striking `(G), and (H)' and inserting `and (G)'; and

(B) in item (bb), by striking `(F)' and inserting `(E)'.

(3) Section 403(a)(5)(B)(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(B)) is amended in the matter preceding subclause (I) by striking `(I)' and inserting `(H)'.

(4) Subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 403(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(F) and (G)), as so redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, are each amended by striking `(I)' and inserting `(H)'.

(5) Section 412(a)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 612(a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking `403(a)(5)(I)' and inserting `403(a)(5)(H)'.

(c) FUNDING AMENDMENT- Section 403(a)(5)(H)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(H)(i)), as so redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking `$1,500,000,000' and all that follows and inserting `for grants under this paragraph--

`(I) $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; and

`(II) $1,400,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.'.

SEC. 601. CHANGE DATES FOR EVALUATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 403(a)(5)(G)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(G)(iii)), as so redesignated by section 502(a) of this Act, is amended by striking `2001' and inserting `2005'.

(b) INTERIM REPORT REQUIRED- Section 403(a)(5)(G) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(G)), as so redesignated, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(iv) INTERIM REPORT- Not later than January 1, 2002, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a interim report on the evaluations referred to in clause (i).'.

SEC. 602. REPORT ON UNDISTRIBUTED CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS.

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the procedures that the States use generally to locate custodial parents for whom child support has been collected but not yet distributed due to a change in address. The report shall include an estimate of the total amount of such undistributed child support and the average length of time it takes for such child support to be distributed. The Secretary shall include in the report recommendations as to whether additional procedures should be established at the State or Federal level to expedite the payment of undistributed child support.

SEC. 603. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

It is the sense of the Congress that the States may use funds provided under the program of block grants for temporary assistance for needy families under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to promote fatherhood activities of the type described in section 403A of such Act, as added by this Act.

SEC. 604. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR WELFARE EVALUATION STUDY.

Section 414(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 614(b)) is amended by striking `appropriated $10,000,000' and all that follows and inserting `appropriated--

`(1) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 through 1999;

`(2) $12,300,000 for fiscal year 2000;

`(3) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2001;

`(4) $15,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; and

`(5) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.'.

SEC. 605. TRAINING IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS.

(a) IN GENERAL--Section 474(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(3)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

`(C) 75 percent of so much of such expenditures as are for the short-term training (including cross-training with personnel employed by, or under contract with, the State or local agency administering the plan in the political subdivision, training on topics relevant to the legal representation of clients in proceedings conducted by or under the supervision of an abuse and neglect court, and training on related topics such as child development and the importance of achieving safety, permanency, and well-being for a child) of judges, judicial personnel, law enforcement personnel, agency attorneys, attorneys representing a parent in proceedings conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court, attorneys representing a child in such proceedings, guardians ad litem, and volunteers who participate in court-appointed special advocate programs, to the extent the training is related to the court's role in expediting adoption procedures, implementing reasonable efforts, and providing for timely permanency planning and case reviews, except that any such training shall be offered by the State or local agency administering the plan, either directly or through contract, in collaboration with the appropriate judicial governing body operating in the State,'.

(b) DEFINITIONS- Section 475 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(8) The term `abuse and neglect courts' means the State and local courts that carry out State or local laws requiring proceedings (conducted by or under the supervision of the courts)--

`(A) that implement part B or this part, including preliminary disposition of such proceedings;

`(B) that determine whether a child was abused or neglected;

`(C) that determine the advisability or appropriateness of placement in a family foster home, group home, or a special residential care facility; or

`(D) that determine any other legal disposition of a child in the abuse and neglect court system.

`(9) The term `agency attorney' means an attorney or other individual, including any government attorney, district attorney, attorney general, State attorney, county attorney, city solicitor or attorney, corporation counsel, or privately retained special prosecutor, who represents the State or local agency administrating the programs under part B and this part in a proceeding conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court, including a proceeding for termination of parental rights.

`(10) The term `attorney representing a child' means an attorney or a guardian ad litem who represents a child in a proceeding conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court.

`(11) The term `attorney representing a parent' means an attorney who represents a parent who is an official party to a proceeding conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court.'.

(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS--

(1) Section 473(a)(6)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(6)(B)) is amended by striking `474(a)(3)(E)' and inserting `474(a)(3)(F)'.

(2) Section 474(a)(3)(E) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(3)(E)) (as so redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section) is amended by striking `subparagraph (C)' and inserting `subparagraph (D)'.

(3) Section 474(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 674(c)) is amended by striking `subsection (a)(3)(C)' and inserting `subsection (a)(3)(D)'.

(d) SUNSET- Effective on October 1, 2004--

(1) section 474(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(3)) is amended by striking subparagraph (C) and redesignating subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively;

(2) section 475 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by striking paragraphs (8) through (11);

(3) section 473(a)(6)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(6)(B)) is amended by striking `474(a)(3)(F)' and inserting `474(a)(3)(E)'.

(4) section 474(a)(3)(E) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(3)(E)) (as so redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section) is amended by striking `subparagraph (D)' and inserting `subparagraph (C)'; and

(5) section 474(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 674(c)) is amended by striking `subsection (a)(3)(D)' and inserting `subsection (a)(3)(C)'.

SEC. 606. USE OF NEW HIRE INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN ADMINISTRATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAMS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 453(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)), as amended by section 501(a) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(7) INFORMATION COMPARISONS AND DISCLOSURE TO ASSIST IN ADMINISTRATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAMS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- If a State agency responsible for the administration of an unemployment compensation program under Federal or State law transmits to the Secretary the name and social security account number of an individual, the Secretary shall, if the information in the National Directory of New Hires indicates that the individual may be employed, disclose to the State agency the name and address of any putative employer of the individual, subject to this paragraph.

`(B) CONDITION ON DISCLOSURE- The Secretary shall make a disclosure under subparagraph (A) only to the extent that the Secretary determines that the disclosure would not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.

`(C) USE OF INFORMATION- A State agency may use information provided under this paragraph only for purposes of administering a program referred to in subparagraph (A).'.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 1999.

SEC. 607. IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS.

(a) NONIMMIGRANT ALIENS INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE VISAS AND EXCLUDED FROM ADMISSION FOR NONPAYMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 212(a)(10) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(10)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(F) NONPAYMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT-

`(i) IN GENERAL- Any nonimmigrant alien is inadmissible who is legally obligated under a judgment, decree, or order to pay child support (as defined in section 459(i) of the Social Security Act), and whose failure to pay such child support has resulted in an arrearage exceeding $5,000, until child support payments under the judgment, decree, or order are satisfied or the nonimmigrant alien is in compliance with an approved payment agreement.

`(ii) WAIVER AUTHORIZED- The Attorney General may waive the application of clause (i) in the case of an alien, if the Attorney General--

`(I) has received a request for the waiver from the court or administrative agency having jurisdiction over the judgment, decree, or order obligating the alien to pay child support that is referred to in such clause; or

`(II) determines that there are prevailing humanitarian or public interest concerns.'.

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) AUTHORIZATION TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN CHILD SUPPORT CASES ON CERTAIN ARRIVING ALIENS-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 235(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(5) AUTHORITY TO SERVE PROCESS IN CHILD SUPPORT CASES-

`(A) IN GENERAL- To the extent consistent with State law, immigration officers are authorized to serve on any alien who is an applicant for admission to the United States legal process with respect to any action to enforce or establish a legal obligation of an individual to pay child support (as defined in section 459(i) of the Social Security Act).

`(B) DEFINITION- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `legal process' means any writ, order, summons or other similar process, which is issued by--

`(i) a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any State, territory, or possession of the United States; or

`(ii) an authorized official pursuant to an order of such a court or agency or pursuant to State or local law.'.

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to aliens applying for admission to the United States on or after 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SHARE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION LAW-

(1) SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITY- Section 452 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 652) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(m) If the Secretary receives a certification by a State agency, in accordance with section 454(32), that an individual who is a nonimmigrant alien (as defined in section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) owes arrearages of child support in an amount exceeding $5,000, the Secretary may, at the request of the State agency, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General, or on the Secretary's own initiative, provide such certification to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General information in order to enable them to carry out their responsibilities under sections 212(a)(10) and 235(d) of such Act.'.

(2) STATE AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY- Section 454 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654) is amended--

(A) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (32);

(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and inserting `; and'; and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (33) the following:

`(34) provide that the State agency will have in effect a procedure for certifying to the Secretary, in such format and accompained by such supporting documentation as the Secretary may require, determinations for purposes of section 452(m) that nonimmigrant aliens owe arrearages of child support in an amount exceeding $5,000.'.

Attest:

JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.

END