LICENSING STANDARDS FOR RELATIVES.

SEC. 104. LICENSING STANDARDS FOR RELATIVES.(a) State Plan Amendment.—Section 471(a)(10) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(10)) is amended—(1) by striking “and provides” and inserting “provides”; and(2) by inserting before the semicolon the following: “, and provides that a waiver of any such standard may be made only on a case-by-case basis for non-safety standards (as determined by the State) in relative foster family homes for specific children in care”.(b) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 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 that includes the following:(1) Nationally and for each State, the number and percentage of children in foster care placed in licensed relative foster family homes and the number and percentage of such children placed in unlicensed relative foster family homes.(2) The frequency with which States grant case-by-case waivers of non-safety licensing standards for relative foster family homes.(3) The types of non-safety licensing standards waived.(4) An assessment of how such case-by-case waivers of non-safety licensing standards have affected children in foster care, including their safety, permanency, and well-being.(5) A review of any reasons why relative foster family homes may not be able to be licensed, despite State authority to grant such case-by-case waivers of non-safety licensing standards.(6) Recommendations for administrative or legislative actions that may increase the percentage of relative foster family homes that are licensed while ensuring the safety of children in foster care and improving their permanence and well-being.