The CARE for Children Act (H.R. 4972)
August 15, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
The bill expands the types of facilities eligible for federal foster care funding, potentially increasing the number of available placements for children and sibling groups in the foster system.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Foster children
The bill changes the types of residential settings available for their placement and the standards of care required in those settings.
State child welfare agencies
Agencies may need to update state plans or legislation to align with the new federal definitions and requirements for cottage family homes.
Child care agencies
Organizations operating cottage family homes become eligible for federal foster care maintenance payments if they meet the new federal standards.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- The bill amends the Social Security Act to officially recognize 'cottage family homes' as eligible for federal foster care maintenance payments.
- Cottage family homes must be licensed by the state and operated by a public or private child care agency.
- These homes must provide trauma-informed care and prohibit the use of seclusion or chemical/mechanical restraints.
- The bill requires homes to have a system for children to report concerns or mistreatment to staff.
- Cottage family homes must be single-family style residences with a limit of two children per bedroom, unless otherwise in the child's best interest.
- Children in these homes must be under the care of live-in parents who use the 'reasonable and prudent parent standard'.
- The bill mandates that these homes facilitate the placement of sibling groups together.
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services is prohibited from penalizing states that choose to classify these homes as foster family homes.
- The amendments take effect on the date of enactment, with a potential 6-month delay for states requiring legislative changes to comply.
- There is no time limit on foster care maintenance payments for children placed in a cottage family home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'cottage family home' under this bill?
Does this bill change how long a child can receive foster care payments?
Can states choose not to participate?
Why It Matters
The bill expands the types of facilities eligible for federal foster care funding, potentially increasing the number of available placements for children and sibling groups in the foster system.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Foster Care Settings
The bill creates a new federal category for foster care funding ('cottage family homes') to address the shortage of traditional foster homes.
Connected Entities
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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