ENTITLEMENT FUNDING FOR STATE COURTS TO ASSESS AND IMPROVE HANDLING OF PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION.

SEC. 13712. ENTITLEMENT FUNDING FOR STATE COURTS TO ASSESS AND IMPROVE HANDLING OF PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION. (a) In General.— The Secretary shall make grants, in accordance with this section, to the highest State courts in States participating in the program under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, for the purpose of enabling such courts— (1) to conduct assessments, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall publish, of the role, responsibilities, and effectiveness of State courts in carrying out State laws requiring proceedings (conducted by or under the supervision of the courts)— (A) that implement parts B and E of title IV of such Act; (B) that determine the advisability or appropriateness of foster care placement; (C) that determine whether to terminate parental rights; and (D) that determine whether to approve the adoption or other permanent placement of a child; and (2) to implement changes deemed necessary as a result of the assessments. (b) Applications.— In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, a highest State court shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and including such information and assurances as the Secretary shall require. (c) Allotments.— (1) In general.— Each highest State court which has an application approved under subsection (b), and is conducting assessment activities in accordance with this section, shall be entitled to payment, for each of fiscal years 1995 through 1998, from amounts reserved pursuant to section 430(d)(2) of the Social Security Act, of an amount equal to the sum of— 107 STAT. 656 (A) for fiscal year 1995, $75,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for fiscal year 1995; and (B) for each of fiscal years 1996 through 1998, $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for each of such fiscal years. (2) Formula.— The amount described in this paragraph for any fiscal year is the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount reserved pursuant to section 430(d)(2) of the Social Security Act for the fiscal year (reduced by the dollar amount specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection for the fiscal year) as the number of individuals in the State who have not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such individuals in all States the highest State courts of which have approved applications under subsection (b). (d) Use of Grant Funds.— Each highest State court which receives funds paid under this section may use such funds to Pay— (1) any or all costs of activities under this section in fiscal year 1995; and (2) not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998.