Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act

Not later than 2 years 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 following:

(1) The effect of poverty with respect to—

(A) contacts with authorities related to child and family services;

(B) investigations carried out related to the welfare of a child;

(C) allegations of child neglect, abuse, or other forms of maltreatment;

(D) temporary or permanent removals of a child from the home, family, or household of the child;

(E) transient, temporary, or permanent placements in foster care, kinship care, or other informal care settings; and

(F) and other actions that affect the custody or care of a child.

(2) Recommendations for legislation to accurately gain information related to paragraph (1).

(3) Recommendations for legislation to help prevent a family in poverty from experiencing the separation, whether permanent or temporary, of a child from the family.