COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

SEC. 7. [42 U.S.C. 629h note] COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (a) Reservation of Funds.—Of the additional amounts made available by reason of section 6 of this Act, the Secretary shall reserve $10,000,000 for grants under subsection (b) of this section for fiscal year 2021, which shall be considered to be made under section 438 of the Social Security Act. (b) Distribution of Funds.— (1) In general.—From the amounts reserved under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall— (A) reserve not more than $500,000 for Tribal court improvement activities; and (B) from the amount remaining after the application of subparagraph (A), make a grant to each highest State court that is approved to receive a grant under section 438 of the Social Security Act for the purpose described in section 438(a)(3) of such Act, for fiscal year 2021. (2) Amount.—The amount of the grant awarded to a highest State court under this subsection shall be the sum of— (A) $85,000; and (B) the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount reserved under subsection (a) that remains after the application of paragraph (1)(A) and subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, as the number of individuals in the State in which the court is located who have not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such individuals in all States the highest courts of which were awarded a grant under this subsection (based on the most recent year for which data are available from the Bureau of the Census). (3) Other rules.— (A) In general.—The grants awarded to the highest State courts under this subsection shall be in addition to any grants made to the courts under section 438 of the Social Security Act for any fiscal year. (B) No additional application.—The Secretary shall award grants to the highest State courts under this subsection without requiring the courts to submit an additional application. (C) Reports.—The Secretary may establish reporting criteria specific to the grants awarded under this subsection. (D) Redistribution of funds.—If a highest State court does not accept a grant awarded under this subsection, or does not agree to comply with any reporting requirements imposed under subparagraph (C) or the use of funds requirements specified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall redistribute the grant funds that would have been awarded to that court under this subsection among the other highest State courts that are awarded grants under this subsection and agree to comply with the reporting and use of funds requirements. (E) No matching requirement.—The limitation on the use of funds specified in section 438(d) of such Act shall not apply to the grants awarded under this section. (c) Use of Funds.—A highest State court awarded a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds to address needs stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency, which may include any of the following: (1) Technology investments to facilitate the transition to remote hearings for dependency courts when necessary as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. (2) Training for judges, attorneys, and caseworkers on facilitating and participating in remote hearings that comply with due process and all applicable law, ensure child safety and well-being, and help inform judicial decision-making. (3) Programs to help families address aspects of the case plan to avoid delays in legal proceedings that would occur as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. (4) Other purposes to assist courts, court personnel, or related staff related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. (d) Conforming Amendments.—Section 438 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h) is amended in each of subsections (c)(1) and (d) by striking “2021” and inserting “2022”.