Regs.gov: Administration of Children and Families

Block Grants and Community Services Programs Deregulation

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families proposes to amend three regulatory frameworks—45 CFR Part 96 (Block Grants), 45 CFR Part 1000 (Individual Development Account Reserve Funds), and the Emergency Community Services Homeless Grant Program regulations—to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete provisions. The proposed deregulatory action affects seven major block grant programs including Community Services Block Grant, LIHEAP, and maternal health services, with written comments due by May 8, 2026.

Native American Programs Act Regulations - Deregulation

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), proposes to amend 45 CFR part 1336 to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete regulations under the Native American Programs Act. The NPRM targets duplicative regulations, provisions better suited for sub-regulatory guidance, and entirely obsolete requirements. Comments must be received by April 27, 2026.

Rescinding Obsolete State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants Regulations

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families has issued a direct final rule rescinding obsolete provisions of 45 CFR part 402, which governed the State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants (SLIAG) program. The SLIAG program, established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to reimburse states for costs associated with newly legalized aliens seeking public benefits, has long since concluded. The rule removes these outdated regulatory provisions effective May 26, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by that date.

HHS Proposes to Rescind Obsolete Repatriation Program Regulations

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to rescind obsolete and duplicative regulations in 45 CFR parts 211 (Care and Treatment of Mentally Ill Nationals Returned from Foreign Countries) and 212 (Assistance for U.S. Citizens Returned from Foreign Countries). The proposal targets regulations that are redundant with existing statutes, overly prescriptive technical requirements better suited for sub-regulatory guidance, and entirely obsolete provisions. Public comments are due April 27, 2026.

Proposed Streamlining of Family Violence Prevention and Services Regulations

HHS ACF proposes to remove duplicative or unnecessary sections from 45 CFR part 1370, the Family Violence Prevention and Services program regulations. The NPRM would rescind two regulatory sections affecting States, Territories, Tribes, and nongovernmental entities that administer family violence prevention grants. Public comments are due May 6, 2026.

TANF Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act

ACF proposes amendments to TANF regulations implementing statutory changes from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The rule resets the base year for the caseload reduction credit from FY 2005 to FY 2015 and excludes cases receiving less than $35 monthly in assistance from work participation rate calculations. States must submit comments by May 6, 2026.

Proposed Amendments to Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Regulations

HHS/ACF published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to remove duplicative or unnecessary sections from 45 CFR part 1351 governing the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. The amendments aim to streamline program regulations, reduce administrative burden on grantees, and make requirements more accessible. Public comment period closes May 6, 2026.

ACF Repatriation Program Burden Reduction

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend regulations governing the care and treatment of mentally ill U.S. nationals and assistance for U.S. citizens returned from foreign countries. The proposal seeks to rescind duplicative, obsolete, and overly prescriptive regulations in 45 CFR parts 211 and 212. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by April 27, 2026.

Native American Programs Act - Reduction of Unnecessary Regulations

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (RIN0970-AD36) to amend the Native American Programs Act regulations (45 CFR part 1336) by eliminating unnecessary, duplicative, and obsolete regulations. The proposed rescissions would impact States, Territories, and Tribal Lead Agencies that receive funding under the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) grant program. Public comments will be accepted until April 27, 2026.

Rescission of Obsolete State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants Regulations

The Administration for Children and Families issued a direct final rule rescinding 45 CFR part 402, which governed the obsolete State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants (SLIAG) program. The SLIAG program, established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, was repealed in 1998 and its regulations are no longer operational. The rule removes this outdated regulatory framework as part of HHS's broader deregulatory initiative.

Proposed Rule to Reduce Native American Program Bureaucracy

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to amend Native American Programs Act regulations (45 CFR part 1336) to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete regulations. This proposed rule aims to reduce bureaucracy for Native American programs and impacts States, Territories, and Tribal Lead Agencies.

Rescinding Obsolete Provisions of State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants Regulations

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is issuing a direct final rule to rescind obsolete provisions of the State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants (SLIAG) regulations (45 CFR part 402). This action aims to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline processes. The rule is effective May 26, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by that date.

Proposed Rule: Human Services Repatriation Program Regulations

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to amend regulations concerning the care and treatment of mentally ill nationals and assistance for U.S. citizens returned from foreign countries. The proposed rule aims to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete regulations, with a comment deadline of April 27, 2026.

Proposed Rescission of LGBTQI+ Children Placement Requirements

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to remove the 'Designated Placement Requirements Under Titles IV-E and IV-B for LGBTQI+ Children' rule. This action follows a court decision vacating the rule, which had required specific placement availability for LGBTQI+ children in foster care. ACF is seeking public comment on this proposed rescission.

Head Start Rescinds COVID-19 Mitigation Policy Requirement

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is issuing a direct final rule to remove the requirement for Head Start programs to have a COVID-19 mitigation policy. This rule rescinds a provision from a January 2023 rule and aims to reduce regulatory burdens.

ACF Seeks Public Comment on Indian Child Welfare Act Assistance

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is seeking public comment on technical assistance related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The comments will inform ACF's work to meet new requirements under Public Law 118-258, focusing on removing burdens for State and Tribal title IV-B agencies and improving the Court Improvement Program.

Proposed Rule to Restore Flexibility in Child Care and Development Fund

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families has proposed amending the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations. This proposed rule aims to reduce costs and burden for states and territories by rescinding specific requirements from a March 2024 final rule, including limits on family co-payments and provider payment methods.

ACF Withdraws Direct Final Rule on Name Change

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is withdrawing a direct final rule that made technical updates to Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter III. The rule is being withdrawn because the agency received significant adverse comments.

Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule Update

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is issuing an interim final rule to remove a provision from its Foundational Rule that prevented sharing immigration status information of potential sponsors with law enforcement. This change aligns the regulation with federal statute.