This final rule amends existing regulations concerning Child and Family Services by adding new requirements governing the review of a State’s conformity with its State plan under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act (the Act), and implements the provisions of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-432), the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) as amended by Pub. L. 104-188, and certain provisions of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-89). In addition, this final rule sets forth regulations that clarify certain eligibility criteria that govern the title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews which the Administration on Children, Youth and Families conducts to ensure a State agency’s compliance with statutory requirements under the Act, and makes other technical changes to the race and ethnicity data elements in the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS).
