Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act

This bill, known as the "Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act," aims to prevent the separation of children from their parents solely because of economic hardship. It amends part B of title IV of the Social Security Act, requiring states to provide assurances that child protective services systems will not remove children from their homes based exclusively on a family's poverty status.

Furthermore, the legislation mandates that states develop or enhance services and benefits, such as assistance for housing insecurity or parental unemployment, to help keep families experiencing poverty safely intact. These provisions seek to strengthen family units by addressing underlying economic challenges rather than penalizing families for them.

The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a comprehensive report within two years. This report must analyze the impact of poverty on various aspects of child welfare system involvement, including investigations, allegations, and child removals. It will also include recommendations for future legislation to gather better data and prevent family separations caused by poverty.