United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 15 D cosponsors

HR 4282 — Equality for Families with Disabilities Act

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To protect individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents from discrimination in the child welfare system.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends current law to require states to develop plans and procedural safeguards for individuals with disabilities involved in the child welfare system, ensuring they receive appropriate assessments, supportive services, and training to prevent discrimination.

  • 42 U.S.C. 622(b)

    (20) provide that the State will, in consultation with individuals with experience with the child welfare system who are parents or caregivers with a disability, or who are individuals whose parent or caregiver had a disability, develop and explain the procedural safeguards and supportive parenting services provided to individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents, from the time of earliest interaction with a family through any ongoing judicial or administrative proceeding, including a description of how each such individual receives-- "(A) a fact-specific, individualized parenting assessment that does not rely on generalizations but evaluates the strengths, needs, and capabilities of the individual with a disability, based on objective evidence, personal circumstances, and demonstrated competencies; and "(B) parenting education that is peer-reviewed or a best practice for use; and "(21) demonstrate best efforts to provide supportive services, accommodations, and effective communication, directly or by referral, with follow-up to ensure resource connection, to ensure full and equal opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents, including by making available training on the rights of individuals with disabilities who are involved with child welfare proceedings and how to ensure full and equal participation of the individuals in the proceedings, and, in the case of child welfare professionals or court personnel, how to conduct parenting assessments and provide parenting education to various populations of individuals with disabilities to ensure that any restrictions on parental rights are not imposed solely on the basis of disability."

    This addition mandates states to create specific plans to support individuals with disabilities in the child welfare system.

  • 42 U.S.C. 629h(a)(1)

    (F) that determine child placements in any case involving an individual with a disability who is a parent, legal guardian, relative, other caregiver, foster or adoptive parent, or an individual seeking to become an adoptive or foster parent;

    This addition ensures that the assessment of child placements includes consideration of individuals with disabilities.

  • 42 U.S.C. 629h(a)(2)

    (D) to ensure full and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents, consistent with title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

    This change requires grants to promote equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in child welfare proceedings.

  • 42 U.S.C. 629h(b)

    (4) a demonstration of meaningful efforts by the highest court in the State to ensure that each court in the State affords full and equal opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents, including by working with the State agency administering, or supervising the administration of, a plan under this part or part E, and, as applicable, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, to make available training on the rights of individuals with disabilities who are involved with child welfare proceedings and how to ensure full and equal participation of the individuals in the proceedings, and, in the case of child welfare professionals or court personnel, how to conduct parenting assessments and provide parenting education to various populations of individuals with disabilities.

    This requires state courts to show evidence of providing opportunities for disabled individuals in child welfare cases.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 532 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (532)

532 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4282 do?
To protect individuals with disabilities who are parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caregivers, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals seeking to become foster or adoptive parents from discrimination in the child welfare system.
Who sponsors HR 4282?
HR 4282 is sponsored by Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila (Democratic), Norton, Eleanor Holmes (Democratic), Carson, André (Democratic), Schiff, Adam B. (Democratic), Thompson, Bennie G. (Democratic), Evans, Dwight (Democratic), Payne, Donald M. (Democratic), Grijalva, Raúl M. (Democratic), Cleaver, Emanuel (Democratic), Magaziner, Seth (Democratic), Cohen, Steve (Democratic), Goldman, Daniel S. (Democratic), Lee, Barbara (Democratic), Ramirez, Delia C. (Democratic), and Trone, David J. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 4282?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 4282?
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