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§ 629h. 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 this subchapter, 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 this part and part E of this subchapter;
(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 improvements the highest state [1] courts deem necessary as a result of the assessments, including—
(A) to provide for the safety, well-being, and permanence of children in foster care, as set forth in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–89); and
(B) to implement a corrective action plan, as necessary, resulting from reviews of child and family service programs under section 1320a–2a of this title.
(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) of this section, and is conducting assessment and improvement activities in accordance with this section, shall be entitled to payment, for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006, from the amount reserved pursuant to section 629f (b)(2) of this title (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant to section 629g (b)(2) of this title), of an amount equal to the sum of $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) of this subsection for the fiscal year.
(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 629f (b)(2) of this title (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant to section 629g (b)(2) of this title) 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) of this section.
(d) Federal share
Each highest State court which receives funds paid under this section may use such funds to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.


[1] So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

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