5786164 Resolution 21-327, Encouraging Foster Children To Have Connections with Siblings Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-327

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

December 1, 2015         

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to include specified people in the category of a sibling for the purpose of ensuring that foster children have connections with siblings. 

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Encouraging Foster Children To Have Connections with Siblings Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015”.

 

            Sec. 2.  (a)  Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, approved June 17, 1980 (P.L. 96-272; 42 USC § 670 et seq.) (“Title IV-E”), provides federal funds to states and the District of Columbia for foster care and guardianship and adoption assistance programs.

            (b) Section 209 of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, approved September 29, 2014 (128 Stat. 1941; 42 U.S.C. §§ 671 and 675), requires states and the District, as a condition of receiving Title IV-E funds, to encourage the placement of foster children with siblings by including in the category of a sibling individuals who would have been considered a sibling but for the termination or disruption of parental rights.

(c)  For the District to be eligible for Title IV-E funding, it must enact legislation by January 1, 2016, that encourages the placement of foster children with siblings.

            (d)  Emergency legislation is necessary to ensure that the District of Columbia maintains compliance with the federal requirements and continues to be eligible for Title IV-E funding.

 

            Sec. 3.  The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Encouraging Foster Children To Have Connections with Siblings Emergency Amendment Act of 2015 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.