Name Change From Office of Child Support Enforcement to Office of Child Support Services, 107015-107021 [2024-30987]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
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V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, the
Administrator is required to approve a
SIP submission that complies with the
provisions of the Act and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C 7410(k);
40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP
submissions, the EPA’s role is to
approve State choices, provided that
they meet the criteria of the CAA.
Accordingly, this action merely
approves State law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose
additional requirements beyond those
imposed by State law. For that reason,
this action:
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to review by the Office of
Management and Budget under
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 14094 (88 FR
21879, April 11, 2023);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.S. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997)
because it approves a State program;
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001); and
• Is not subject to requirements of
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act.
In addition, the SIP is not approved
to apply on any Indian reservation land
or in any other area where the EPA or
an Indian Tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the rule does not have
Tribal implications and will not impose
substantial direct costs on Tribal
governments or preempt Tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
Executive Order 12898 (Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
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February 16, 1994) directs Federal
agencies to identify and address
‘‘disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects’’
of their actions on minority populations
and low-income populations to the
greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law. Executive Order
14096 (Revitalizing Our Nation’s
Commitment to Environmental Justice
for All, 88 FR 25251, April 26, 2023)
builds on and supplements E.O. 12898
and defines environmental justice (EJ)
as, among other things, ‘‘the just
treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people, regardless of income, race,
color, national origin, Tribal affiliation,
or disability, in agency decision-making
and other Federal activities that affect
human health and the environment.’’
The State did not evaluate EJ
considerations as part of its SIP
submittal; the CAA and applicable
implementing regulations neither
prohibit nor require such an evaluation.
The EPA did not perform an EJ analysis
and did not consider EJ in this action.
Consideration of EJ is not required as
part of this action, and there is no
information in the record inconsistent
with the stated goal of Executive Orders
12898 and 14096 of achieving EJ for
communities with EJ concerns.
This action is subject to the
Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House
of the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. This action
is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by March 3, 2025.
Filing a petition for reconsideration by
the Administrator of this final rule does
not affect the finality of this action for
the purposes of judicial review nor does
it extend the time within which a
petition for judicial review may be filed,
and shall not postpone the effectiveness
of such rule or action. This action may
not be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.
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107015
Dated: December 23, 2024.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the Environmental Protection
Agency amends part 52, chapter I, title
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations as
follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F—California
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
adding paragraph (c)(607)(i)(C) to read
as follows:
■
§ 52.220
Identification of plan—in part.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(607) * * *
(i) * * *
(C) Feather River Air Quality
Management District.
(1) Rule 7.15, ‘‘Clean Air Act
Nonattainment Fees,’’ amended on
April 4, 2022.
(2) [Reserved]
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2024–31396 Filed 12–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
45 CFR Parts 301, 302, 303, 304, 305,
307, 308, 309, and 310
RIN 0970–AD06
Name Change From Office of Child
Support Enforcement to Office of Child
Support Services
Office of Child Support
Services (OCSS), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF),
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS or the Department).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
In an effort to make child
support regulations consistent with
recent rulemaking and updated Tribal
child support processes and reporting,
this direct final rule (DFR) makes
technical updates reflect the current
name of the child support program,
Office of Child Support Services
(OCSS). This is a conforming update to
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
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align with the Federal Register notice
changing the office’s name in the
Statement of Organization, Functions,
and Delegations of Authority that was
published on June 5, 2023, and updates
based on the Elimination of the Tribal
Non-Federal Share Requirement final
rule issued on February 12, 2024.
DATES: This rule is effective March 3,
2025, without further action unless
adverse comment is received by January
30, 2025. If significant adverse comment
is received, ACF will publish a timely
withdrawal of the rule in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by Regulatory Information
Number (RIN) number, by one of the
following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Written comments may be
submitted to: Office of Child Support
Services, Attention: Director of Policy
and Training, 330 C Street SW,
Washington, DC 20201.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and RIN
for this rulemaking. All comments
received will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided.
Docket: Go to the Federal Rulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov for
access to the rulemaking docket,
including any background documents
and the plain-language summary of the
rule of not more than 100 words in
length required by the Providing
Accountability Through Transparency
Act of 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tavaughn McKenny, Program
Specialist, OCSS Division of Policy and
Training, at ocss.dpt@acf.hhs.gov or
(202) 565–0129. Telecommunications
Relay users may dial 711 first.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Submission of Comments
Comments should be specific, address
issues raised by the rule, and explain
reasons for any objections or
recommended changes. This rule will be
effective on the date shown in the DATES
section unless OCSS receives significant
adverse comment on or before the
deadline for comments. Significant
adverse comments are comments that
provide strong justifications for why the
rule should not be adopted or for
changing the rule. OCSS does not expect
to receive any significant adverse
comments because it is adopting the
name change already announced in the
Federal Register and making technical
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updates to 45 CFR part 309. If OCSS
receives any significant adverse
comments, it will publish a document
in the Federal Register withdrawing
this rule before the effective date.
Although we will not acknowledge
receipt of individual comments, we will
review and consider all comments that
are relevant and received during the
comment period. We will respond to
these comments in the withdrawal if the
rule is withdrawn. If OCSS receives no
significant adverse comments, the rule
will be effective 60 days after
publication without further notice.
Statutory Authority
This DFR is published under the
authority granted to the Secretary of
Health and Human Services by section
1102 of the Social Security Act (the Act)
(42 U.S.C. 1302). Section 1102 of the
Act authorizes the Secretary to publish
regulations, not inconsistent with the
Act, as may be necessary to the efficient
administration of the functions with
which the Secretary is responsible
under the Act. This DFR is also
authorized by section 452(a) of the Act
(42 U.S.C. 652(a)), which gives the
Secretary of HHS the statutory authority
to change the name of the child support
program.
This DFR is further published in
accordance with section 455(f) of the
Act (42 U.S.C. 655(f)) which authorizes
the Secretary to make child support
funding available to Tribes and Tribal
organizations operating child support
programs and to issue regulations
establishing requirements for Tribal
child support programs.
Background
In 1975, Congress established the
child support program under title IV–D
of the Social Security Act (Pub. L. 93–
647). The child support program is
administered at the federal level by the
Office of Child Support Enforcement
(OCSE) and functions in 54 states and
territories and over 60 Tribes. When the
child support program began, its
primary focus was collecting child
support to recover welfare costs, but
that has changed significantly over time.
Today, the program is focused on
delivering family-centered child support
services that improve the long-term
financial and emotional support of
children, by collecting and facilitating
consistent child support payments
based on noncustodial parents’ ability to
pay. This evolution has been guided by
the changing needs of families, by
Federal legislation, and by research and
data that contribute to OCSE’s
understanding of the standards and
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requirements necessary to establish an
effective child support program.
On June 5, 2023, ACF published a
notice in the Federal Register, 88 FR
36587,1 updating the office’s Statement
of Organization, Functions, and
Delegations of Authority to announce
that the Office of Child Support
Enforcement is now the Office of Child
Support Services. This name change
reflects the program’s commitment to
serve the whole family and provide
services that promote family selfsufficiency, so children receive reliable
support from both parents.
On February 12, 2024, ACF published
a final rule in the Federal Register, 89
FR 9784,2 to announce the Elimination
of the Tribal Non-Federal Share
Requirement. The final rule provided
additional support to Tribes to
administer their Tribal IV–D programs,
however, a few changes are required in
related regulations in 45 CFR 309.75(e)
to align with the final rule.
Additionally, as the Tribal IV–D
program continues to evolve, updated
Tribal processes and reporting
necessitate updates to 45 CFR part 309.
Justification
The purpose of this rule is to change
the name of the child support program
in 45 CFR chapter III, parts 301 through
310, and make required technical
updates to 45 CFR part 309. The name
of the child support program was
changed from OCSE to OCSS on June 5,
2023. However, all child support
regulations throughout 45 CFR chapter
III refer to the child support program as
OCSE. OCSS needs to change all
references to the child support program
in 45 CFR chapter III from OCSE to
OCSS to align with the name change of
the child support program.
Additionally, technical updates are
required to remove paragraphs one
through four in 45 CFR 309.75(e) for
alignment with the Elimination of the
Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement
final rule. Technical updates are also
required to align § 309.130(a)(2) with
OCSS’s current process for making
awards, and to align §§ 309.20(b),
309.130(b)(3), 309.135(d), 309.160, and
309.170(b) introductory text, (b)(1), (2),
and (7), and (c) with updated Tribal IV–
D reporting, including Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
1 See Name Change Announcement—Office of
Child Support Enforcement; Statement of
Organization, Functions, and Delegations of
Authority (88 FR 36587) at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-06-05/pdf/
2023-11815.pdf.
2 See Final Rule—Elimination of the Tribal NonFederal Share Requirement (89 FR 9784) at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-12/pdf/
2024-02110.pdf.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
approved data collection forms, and to
allow for Tribal IV–D program
applications to be submitted
electronically.
Summary Description of the Regulatory
Provisions
The following is a summary of the
regulatory provisions included in this
direct final rule and, where appropriate,
how these provisions differ from the
provisions currently reflected in 45 CFR
chapter III.
The final rule makes a nomenclature
change, to remove the name ‘‘Office of
Child Support Enforcement’’ wherever
it appears throughout 45 CFR chapter
III, within titles, images, sections, and
paragraphs, and replace it with the
name ‘‘Office of Child Support
Services’’. This name change promotes
family self-sufficiency, emphasizing the
need for children to receive reliable
support from both parents.
The term ‘‘Office of Child Support
Enforcement’’ is replaced with ‘‘Office
of Child Support Services’’ in 45 CFR
chapter III as shown in the following
table:
Part
301
303
304
305
309
....
....
....
....
....
Sections
301.1, 301.13.
303.20.
304.25, 304.29.
305.32, 305.35.
309.05, 309.20.
The final rule makes a nomenclature
change, to remove the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’
wherever it appears throughout 45 CFR
chapter III, within titles, images,
sections, and paragraphs, and replace it
with the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’. This
acronym change supports the name
change to Office of Child Support
Services that recognizes the program’s
commitment to serve the whole family
and provide services that promote
family self-sufficiency.
The acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ is replaced
with acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in 45 CFR
chapter III as shown in the following
table:
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Part
301
302
303
304
305
307
308
309
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
310 ....
Sections
301.13, 301.15, 301.16.
302.85.
303.11, 303.72.
304.40.
305.1, 305.35, 305.60, 305.66.
307.1, 307.05, 307.15, 307.25.
308.1.
309.05, 309.45, 309.130, 309.145,
309.160, 309.170.
310.1, 310.5, 310.10, 310.20,
310.25, 310.30, 310.35, 310.40.
In addition to changing the name of
the ‘‘Office of Child Support
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Enforcement’’ to the ‘‘Office of Child
Support Services’’ and changing the
related acronym from ‘‘OCSE’’ to
‘‘OCSS,’’ this direct final rule removes
the word ‘‘enforcement’’ where it is
unnecessary or changes the word
‘‘enforcement’’ to the word ‘‘services’’ or
the word ‘‘program’’ as appropriate.
These changes acknowledge and reflect
the name change and the broader scope
of services the child support program
provides to families. The changed
provisions are §§ 301.1, 301.13,
302.19(a), 302.30, 302.70(d)(2),
302.75(b)(6), 302.85(b)(2)(ii), 303.2(a)(3),
303.5(g)(ii)(B), 304.11, 304.20(b)
introductory text, (b)(1) introductory
text, (b)(1)(iii), and (b)(12), 304.23(i),
304.24, 304.30, 305.1(d), 305.35(e),
307.1(h)(1), 307.5(c)(3), 309.01(a),
309.05, 309.10(c), 309.55, 309.130(a)(1),
(b)(4), and (c)(2), and 309.170(a).
This direct final rule also changes the
word ‘‘insure’’ to the word ‘‘ensure’’ in
§ 302.19(a), and it adds the word
‘‘child’’ to clarify ‘‘support services’’
and removes the word ‘‘enforcement’’ in
the heading and the body of § 302.30.
Section 309.20 Who submits a Tribal
IV–D program application and where?
Section 309.20(b) requires Tribes or
Tribal organizations submitting an
initial application for funding under
§ 309.65(a) to mail the application to
OCSS, with a copy to the appropriate
regional office. This rule amends that
requirement by revising paragraph (b) to
allow applications to be submitted via
email to OCSS.Tribal@acf.hhs.gov.
Section 309.75 What administrative
and management procedures must a
Tribe or Tribal organization include in
a Tribal IV–D plan?
Prior to the elimination of the Tribal
non-Federal share requirement,
§ 309.75(e) described the requirements
for a Tribe and Tribal organization that
intends to charge an application fee or
recover costs in excess of the fee.
Collected fees and recovered costs are
considered program income and
deducted from total allowable costs in
accordance with 45 CFR 75.307(e)(1).
When we proposed eliminating the
Tribal non-Federal share requirement,
we also proposed revising § 309.75(e) to
require Tribal child support programs to
have procedures that prohibit charging
fees and recovering costs and to remove
paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).3 There
were no objections to the proposed
regulatory amendments and the
3 See Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—
Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share
Requirement (88 FR 24526) at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-04-21/pdf/
2023-07861.pdf.
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107017
amended language was incorporated in
the final rule.4 However, when the
revisions to § 309.75(e) were codified in
the CFR, paragraphs (e)(1) through (4)
were inadvertently retained. This rule
effectuates that conforming change by
removing paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).
Section 309.130 How will Tribal IV–D
programs be funded and what forms are
required?
Section 309.130(a)(2) provides that
Tribes and Tribal organizations eligible
for grants of less than $1 million per 12month funding period will receive a
single annual award, while those
eligible for grants of $1 million or more
per 12-month funding period will
receive four equal quarterly awards. In
practice, all Tribes and Tribal
organizations receive a single annual
award regardless of the funded amount.
This rule makes a technical correction
to § 309.130(a)(2) by revising the
paragraph to align with OCSS’s current
process for making awards.
Tribes and Tribal organizations are
required under § 309.130(b)(3) to submit
a final SF 425, ‘‘Federal Financial
Report,’’ within 90 days after the end of
the fourth quarter of both the funding
and liquidation periods. This timeframe
is more restrictive than the OMB
modified closeout provisions at 2 CFR
200.344, which allow 120 days for the
submission of non-Federal entity
closeout reports. In 2023, HHS began
following 2 CFR 200.344. As explained
in the published Change in Federal
Award Closeout Provisions notice,5
‘‘[a]dhering to the 2 CFR 200.344
closeout provisions would provide more
time for recipient compliance and
conform with other Federal awarding
agencies, thus promoting greater equity
and fairness.’’ For these same reasons,
this rule amends § 309.130(b)(3) by
removing the number ‘‘90’’ and adding,
in its place, the number ‘‘120’’ to align
with 2 CFR 200.344.
Section 309.135 What requirements
apply to funding, obligating and
liquidating Federal title IV–D grant
funds?
Section 309.135(d) requires that a
Tribe or Tribal organization use Form
SF 269A to report quarterly on the
amount of Federal title IV–D grant funds
that have been obligated and liquidated
and the amounts that remain
4 See Final Rule—Elimination of the Tribal NonFederal Share Requirement (89 FR 9784) at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-12/pdf/
2024-02110.pdf.
5 See Notice—Change in Federal Award Closeout
Provisions (88 FR 63591) at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-09-15/pdf/
FR-2023-09-15.pdf.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
unobligated and unliquidated at the end
of each fiscal quarter during the
obligation and liquidation periods.
Form SF 269A is now known as the SF
425, ‘‘Federal Financial Report.’’ This
rule makes a technical correction to the
citation by removing the number
‘‘269A’’ and adding, in its place, the
number ‘‘425’’.
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Section 309.170 What statistical and
narrative reporting requirements apply
to Tribal IV–D programs?
The OCSS–75 Tribal Annual Data
Report is used to report program status
and accomplishments according to
§ 309.170(b). In 2021, form OCSS–75
was revised through a joint workgroup
with Tribal child support directors and
provided to all Tribal child support
directors for review and feedback, in
addition to being made available for
public comment in compliance with the
requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
As such, this rule updates § 309.170 to
conform to the revised OCSS–75 Tribal
Annual Data Report,6 which was
implemented beginning Fiscal Year
2023.
Section 309.170(b) and (c) make a
general reference to the submission of
Tribal IV–D program statistical and
narrative reports. This rule amends both
citations to reference the Tribal Annual
Data Report (OCSS–75) more
specifically by adding the text ‘‘on the
Tribal Annual Data Report (OCSS–75)’’
to paragraph (b) and removing the text
‘‘Tribal IV–D program statistical and
narrative reports’’ from paragraph (c)
and adding, in its place, the text ‘‘the
Tribal Annual Data Report (OCSS–75)’’.
Section 309.170(b)(1) is amended to
add the addition of new Tribal reporting
criteria on Line 2A of the OCSS–75
report, ‘‘Total Number of Tribal Cases
Open at Any Time During the Fiscal
Year’’.
Section 309.170(b)(2) is amended to
reflect revised OCSS–75 data reporting
requirements for paternity
establishment. Requirements to report
out-of-wedlock births in the previous
year and paternities established or
acknowledged are revised to reflect
updated requirements to report the total
number of children in cases open at any
time during the fiscal year and the total
number of children with paternity
concluded.
Section 309.170(b)(7) instructs Tribal
child support programs to report total
costs claimed. However, the OCSS–75
6 See
OCSS AT–22–02 at https://
www.acf.hhs.gov/css/policy-guidance/
implementing-revised-ocse-75-form-andinstructions-effective-fy-2023.
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report does not collect data on total
costs claimed. This rule removes
paragraph (b)(7) accordingly and
redesignates paragraph (b)(8) to
paragraph (b)(7).
Effective Dates
The effective date will be 60 days
from the date of publication in the
Federal Register.
Regulatory Review
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
No new information collection
requirements are imposed by these
regulations.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
local, or Tribal governments, or the
private sector, that will exceed this
threshold in any year.
Assessment of Federal Regulations and
Policies on Families
Section 654 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act of 1999 requires Federal agencies to
determine whether a proposed policy or
regulation may affect family well-being.
If the agency’s determination is
affirmative, then the agency must
prepare an impact assessment
addressing seven criteria specified in
the law. We certify that we have
assessed this rule’s impact on the wellbeing of families. This rule will not
affect family well-being.
Executive Orders 12866, as amended
by Executive Order 14094, and 13563
direct agencies to assess all costs and
benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety
effects, distributive impacts, and
equity). Executive Order 13563
emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, of
reducing costs, of harmonizing rules,
and of promoting flexibility. This rule
meets the standards of Executive Orders
12866, as amended by Executive Order
14094, and 13563 because it does not
have an economic impact and it
harmonizes the OCSS Name Change, the
Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal
Share Requirement final rule, and Tribal
IV–D regulations with current Tribal IV–
D processes and reporting requirements.
There is no financial impact to making
these required technical updates.
Congressional Review
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
45 CFR Part 301
The Secretary certifies that, under 5
U.S.C. 605(b), as enacted by the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96–
354), this rule will not result in a
significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4) requires
agencies to prepare an assessment of
anticipated costs and benefits before
issuing any rule that may result in an
annual expenditure by State, local, and
Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or
by the private sector, of $100 million or
more (adjusted annually for inflation).
That threshold level is currently
approximately $177 million. This rule
does not impose any mandates on State,
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This rule is not a major rule as
defined in 5 U.S.C. chapter 8.
Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132 prohibits an
agency from publishing any rule that
has federalism implications if the rule
either imposes substantial direct
compliance costs on State and local
governments and is not required by
statute, or the rule preempts State law,
unless the agency meets the
consultation and funding requirements
of section 6 of the Executive order. This
rule does not have federalism impacts as
defined in the Executive Order 13132.
Meg Sullivan, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for the
Administration for Children and
Families, performing the delegable
duties of the Assistant Secretary for
Children and Families, approved this
document on December 10, 2024.
List of Subjects
Child support, Grant procedures,
State plan approval.
45 CFR Part 302, 303, and 304
Child support, Grant programs—
social programs.
45 CFR Part 305
Child support, Financial incentives,
Penalties, Program performance
measures, Standards.
45 CFR Part 307
Child support, Computer technology,
Grant programs—social programs.
45 CFR Part 308
Child support, Grant programs—
social programs, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
45 CFR Part 309
§ 301.16
Child support, Grant programs—
social programs, Indians—tribal
government.
■
§ 303.11
■
45 CFR Part 310
PART 302—STATE PLAN
REQUIREMENTS
§ 303.20
5. Amend § 301.16(b)(1) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
Child support, Computer technology,
Grant programs—social programs,
Indians—tribal government.
Dated: December 20, 2024.
Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human
Services.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the Department of Health and
Human Services amends 45 CFR parts
301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309,
and 310 as set forth below:
PART 301—STATE PLAN APPROVAL
AND GRANT PROCEDURES
6. The authority citation for part 302
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658,
659a, 660, 664, 666, 667, 1302, 1396a(a)(25),
1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o), 1396b(p), and 1396(k).
§ 302.19
[Amended]
7. Amend § 302.19(a) by:
a. Removing the word ‘‘insure’’ and
adding, in its place, the word ‘‘ensure’’;
and
■ b. Removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
■ 8. Amend § 302.30 by revising the
section heading to read as follows:
■
[Amended]
15. Amend § 303.11(b)(21)(iv) by
removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’.
[Amended]
16. Amend § 303.20(b)(4) by removing
the word ‘‘Enforcement’’ and adding, in
its place, the word ‘‘Services’’.
■
§ 303.72
[Amended]
17. Amend § 303.72 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (b) heading, (f)(3), and (h)(5).
■
■
PART 304—FEDERAL FINANCIAL
PARTICIPATION
18. The authority citation for part 304
continues to read as follows:
■
1. The authority citation for part 301
continues to read as follows:
§ 302.30 Publicizing the availability of
child support services.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 655, 657,
1302, 1396a(a)(25), 1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o),
1396b(p), and 1396(k).
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658,
659a, 660, 664, 666, 667, 1301, and 1302.
§ 302.70
§ 304.11
■
§ 301.1
2. Amend § 301.1 by:
a. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding in its place the word
‘‘Services’’ in the definitions for
‘‘Director’’, ‘‘Federal PLS’’, ‘‘Office’’,
and ‘‘Regional Office and Central
Office’’; and
■ b. Removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’
and adding in its place the word
‘‘program’’ in the definition for
‘‘Procedures’’.
■
§ 301.13
[Amended]
3. Amend § 301.13 by:
■ a. Removing the text ‘‘Child Support
Enforcement’’ from the introductory text
and adding, in its place, the text ‘‘child
support’’;
■ b. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
everywhere it appears and adding, in its
place, the word ‘‘Services’’ in paragraph
(b); and
■ c. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraph (e).
■
§ 301.15
[Amended]
4. Amend § 301.15 by:
■ a. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding, in its place, the word
‘‘Services’’ in the introductory text and
paragraphs (a)(1) and (2); and
■ b. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’
everywhere it appears and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) and (b)(2) and
(3).
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:56 Dec 30, 2024
[Amended]
9. Amend § 302.70(d)(2) by removing
the text ‘‘Child Support Enforcement’’
and adding, in its place, ‘‘child
support’’.
■
[Amended]
■
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[Amended]
107019
Jkt 265001
§ 302.75
19. Amend § 304.11 by removing the
word ‘‘enforcement’’.
■
§ 304.20
20. Amend § 304.20 by:
a. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding, in its place, the word
‘‘Services’’ in paragraphs (b)
introductory text and (b)(1)(iii) and
(b)(12); and
■ b. Removing the text ‘‘Child Support
Enforcement’’ in paragraph (b)(1)
introductory text and adding, in its
place, the text ‘‘child support’’.
■
10. Amend § 302.75(b)(6) by removing
the word ‘‘Enforcement’’ and adding, in
its place, the word ‘‘Services’’.
[Amended]
11. Amend § 302.85 by:
■ a. Removing the text ‘‘OCSE website’’
and adding, in its place, the text ‘‘OCSS
website’’ in paragraph (a)(1);
■ b. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’
and adding, in its place the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraph (a)(2); and
■ c. Removing the text ‘‘Child Support
Enforcement’’ in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) and
adding, in its place, the text ‘‘child
support’’.
■
PART 303—STANDARDS FOR
PROGRAM OPERATIONS
12. The authority citation for part 303
continues to read as follows:
§ 304.23
21. Amend § 304.23(i) by removing
the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
§ 304.24
22. Amend § 304.24 by removing the
word ‘‘Enforcement’’ everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the
word ‘‘Services’’.
§ 304.25
§ 304.29
[Amended]
§ 303.5
[Amended]
14. Amend § 303.5(g)(1)(ii)(B) by
removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
Frm 00043
Fmt 4700
[Amended]
24. Amend § 304.29 by removing the
word ‘‘Enforcement’’ everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the
word ‘‘Services’’.
■
§ 304.30
[Amended]
25. Amend § 304.30(a) introductory
text and (b) introductory text by
removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
■
■
PO 00000
[Amended]
23. Amend § 304.25(a) by removing
the word ‘‘Enforcement’’ and adding, in
its place, the word ‘‘Services’’.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658,
659a, 660, 663, 664, 666, 667, 1302,
1396a(a)(25), 1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o), 1396b(p),
1396(k), and 25 U.S.C. 1603(12) and 1621e.
13. Amend § 303.2(a)(3) by removing
the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
[Amended]
■
■
■
[Amended]
■
■
§ 303.2
[Amended]
■
[Amended]
■
§ 302.85
[Amended]
Sfmt 4700
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§ 304.40
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
[Amended]
§ 307.5
26. Amend § 304.40(a)(2) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
■
PART 305—PROGRAM
PERFORMANCE MEASURES,
STANDARDS, FINANCIAL
INCENTIVES, AND PENALITES
27. The authority citation for part 305
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(8), 652(a)(4)
and (g), 658a, and 1302.
§ 305.1
§ 307.15
[Amended]
36. Amend § 307.15 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (b)(10)(ii) introductory text,
(b)(10)(ii)(A) and (B), and (b)(10)(iii).
■
[Amended]
Title IV–D refers to the title of the
Social Security Act that authorizes the
Child Support Services Program,
including the Tribal Child Support
Program.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 309.10
[Amended]
44. Amend § 309.10(c) introductory by
removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
■ 45. Amend § 309.20 by revising
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
■
§ 309.20 Who submits a Tribal IV–D
program application and where?
■
29. Amend § 305.32(f) by removing
the word ‘‘Enforcement’’ and adding, in
its place, the word ‘‘Services’’.
*
*
*
*
(b) Applications must be submitted to
the Office of Child Support Services,
either via email to OCSS.Tribal@
acf.hhs.gov or mailed to the Office of
Child Support Services, Attention:
Federal Office of Child Support
Services, with a copy to the appropriate
regional office.
PART 308—ANNUAL STATE SELFASSESSMENT REVIEW AND REPORT
§ 309.45
§ 305.35
■
28. Amend § 305.1 by:
a. Removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’
from paragraph (d); and
■ b. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraph (j).
■
■
§ 305.32
[Amended]
■
[Amended]
30. Amend § 305.35 by:
a. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
from paragraph (e) introductory text;
and
■ b. Removing the text ‘‘OCSE–396’’
everywhere it appears and adding, in its
place, the text ‘‘OCSS–396’’ in
paragraph (e); and
■ c. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding, in its place, the word
‘‘Services’’ in paragraph (f).
■
■
§ 305.60
§ 305.66
32. Amend § 305.66(a) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
PART 307—COMPUTERIZED
SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM
33. The authority citation for part 307
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 652 through 658, 664,
666 through 669A, and 1302.
[Amended]
34. Amend § 307.1 by:
a. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraph (g); and
■ b. Removing the text ‘‘Child Support
Enforcement’’ in paragraph (h)(1) and
adding, in its place, the text ‘‘child
support’’.
■
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:56 Dec 30, 2024
[Amended]
37. Amend § 307.25 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraph (b).
38. The authority citation for part 308
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 654(15)(A) and 1302.
§ 308.1
[Amended]
PART 309—TRIBAL CHILD SUPPORT
(IV–D) PROGRAM
40. The authority citation for part 309
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 655(f) and 1302.
41. Revise the heading for part 309 to
read as set forth above.
■
Jkt 265001
[Amended]
42. Amend § 309.01(a) by removing
the word ‘‘enforcement’’.
■ 43. Amend § 309.05 by:
■ a. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding in its place the word
‘‘Services’’ in the definition for ‘‘Central
office’’;
■ b. Removing the definition of ‘‘OCSE’’
and adding the definition of ‘‘OCSS’’ in
its place; and
■ c. Revising the definition of ‘‘Title IV–
D’’.
The addition and revision read as
follows:
■
§ 309.05
part?
What definitions apply to this
*
*
*
*
*
OCSS refers to the Federal Office of
Child Support Services.
*
*
*
*
*
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4700
*
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[Amended]
46. Amend § 309.45(c) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
■ 47. Revise § 309.55 to read as follows:
■
§ 309.55
39. Amend § 308.1(e)(1) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the
acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
■
§ 309.01
[Amended]
■
§ 307.1
§ 307.25
■
[Amended]
31. Amend § 305.60 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (a), (b) introductory text, (c)
introductory text, (c)(1), and (d).
■
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[Amended]
35. Amend § 307.5 by:
a. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2);
and
■ b. Removing the text ‘‘Child Support
Enforcement’’ in paragraph (c)(3) and
adding, in its place, the text ‘‘child
support’’.
■
■
What does this subpart cover?
This subpart defines the Tribal IV–D
plan provisions that are required to
demonstrate that a Tribe or Tribal
organization has the capacity to operate
a child support program meeting the
objectives of title IV–D of the Act and
this part, including establishment of
paternity, establishment, modification,
and enforcement of support orders, and
location of noncustodial parents.
§ 309.75
[Amended]
48. Amend § 309.75 by removing
paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).
■ 49. Amend § 309.130 by:
■ a. Removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’
in paragraph (a)(1);
■ b. Revising paragraph (a)(2);
■ c. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraph (b) introductory
text;
■ d. Removing the number ‘‘90’’ and
adding, in its place, the number ‘‘120’’
in paragraph (b)(3);
■ e. In paragraph (b)(4):
■ i. Removing the text ‘‘OCSE–34’’ and
‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in their places, the
text ‘‘OCSS–34’’ and ‘‘OCSS’’,
respectively; and
■ ii. Removing the word ‘‘Enforcement’’
and adding, in its place, the word
‘‘Services’’; and
■ f. Removing the word ‘‘enforcement’’
in paragraph (c)(2).
The revision reads as follows:
■
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 250 / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
§ 309.130 How will Tribal IV–D programs
be funded and what forms are required?
PART 310—COMPUTERIZED TRIBAL
IV–D SYSTEM AND OFFICE
AUTOMATION
(a) * * *
(2) Tribes and Tribal organizations
eligible for grants will receive a single
annual award.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 309.135
54. The authority citation for part 310
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 655(f) and 1302.
[Amended]
50. Amend § 309.135(d) by removing
the number ‘‘269A’’ and adding, in its
place, the number ‘‘425’’.
■
§ 309.145
[Amended]
52. Amend § 309.160 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it appears
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’.
■
§ 309.170
[Amended]
53. Amend § 309.170 by:
a. Revising the first sentence of
paragraph (a), the introductory text of
paragraph (b), and paragraphs (b)(1) and
(2);
■ b. Adding the word ‘‘and’’ at the end
of paragraph (b)(6);
■ c. Removing paragraph (b)(7);
■ d. Redesignate paragraph (b)(8) as
paragraph (b)(7); and
■ e. Revising paragraph (c).
The revisions read as follows:
■
■
khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
§ 309.170 What statistical and narrative
reporting requirements apply to Tribal IV–D
programs?
(a) Tribes and Tribal organizations
operating a Tribal IV–D program must
submit to OCSS the Child Support
Services Program: Quarterly Report of
Collections (Form OCSS–34). * * *
(b) Tribes and Tribal organizations
must submit the following information
and statistics for Tribal IV–D program
activity and caseload on the Tribal
Annual Data Report (OCSS–75) for each
annual funding period:
(1) Total number of cases and, of the
total number of cases, the number that
are Tribal cases, the number that are
State or Tribal TANF cases, and the
number that are non-TANF cases;
(2) Total number of children in cases
open during the fiscal year and total
number of children with paternity
concluded;
*
*
*
*
*
(c) A Tribe or Tribal organization
must submit the Tribal Annual Data
Report (OCSS–75) required by
paragraph (b) of this section no later
than 90 days after the end of each
funding period.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:56 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 265001
55. Amend § 310.1(a)(6) by removing
the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’.
56. Amend § 310.5(b)(1) by:
■ a. Removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’; and
■ b. Removing the words ‘‘of this part’’.
§ 310.10
[Amended]
57. Amend § 310.10 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (a)(1), (f) introductory text,
(f)(2), and (g).
■
§ 310.20
[Amended]
58. Amend § 310.20 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it appears
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b).
■
§ 310.25
[Amended]
59. Amend § 310.25 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and adding, in its
place, the acronym ‘‘OCSS’’ in
paragraphs (b), (c)(2), and (d).
■
§ 310.30
[Amended]
60. Amend § 310.30 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it appears
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraphs (a) and (b).
■
§ 310.35
[Amended]
61. Amend § 310.35 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it appears
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’ in paragraphs (a) introductory
text, (a)(1) introductory text, (a)(1)(ii),
(a)(2) introductory text, (a)(2)(ii), and
(b).
■
§ 310.40
[Amended]
62. Amend § 310.40 by removing the
acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ everywhere it appears
and adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’.
■
[FR Doc. 2024–30987 Filed 12–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184–41–P
PO 00000
Frm 00045
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
49 CFR Parts 386 and 387
[Docket No. FMCSA–2024–0280]
Broker and Freight Forwarder
Financial Responsibility; Extension of
Compliance Date
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
[Amended]
■
[Amended]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RIN 2126–AC76
[Amended]
■
§ 310.5
51. Amend § 309.145(a)(3)(v) by
removing the acronym ‘‘OCSE’’ and
adding, in its place, the acronym
‘‘OCSS’’.
■
§ 309.160
§ 310.1
107021
Sfmt 4700
FMCSA amends its November
16, 2023, final rule, ‘‘Broker and Freight
Forwarder Financial Responsibility,’’ by
extending the compliance date for
certain provisions from January 16,
2025, to January 16, 2026. FMCSA is
taking this action because the Agency
determined that only its forthcoming
online registration system will be used
to accept filings and track notifications,
and this functionality will not be added
to its legacy systems. As the online
registration system is not expected to be
available before January 16, 2025,
FMCSA extends the compliance date to
provide regulated entities time to begin
using and familiarizing themselves with
the system before compliance is
required.
SUMMARY:
Effective date: This rule is
effective December 31, 2024.
Expiration dates: Section 387.307T,
which contains the regulations on
brokers of property surety bonds or trust
funds which are currently in effect,
expires as of January 16, 2026. Section
387.307 is stayed until January 16, 2026.
Compliance dates: Brokers, freight
forwarders, surety providers, and
financial institutions must comply with
all the provisions of § 387.307 beginning
on January 16, 2026.
Petition submittal date: Petitions for
reconsideration of this final rule must
be submitted to the FMCSA
Administrator no later than January 30,
2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana
Alvarez, Financial Analyst, Office of
Registration, Financial Responsibility
Filings Division, FMCSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 6th
Floor, Washington, DC 20590; (202)
366–0401; ana.alvarez@dot.gov. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Dockets
Operations at (202) 366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FMCSA
organizes this final rule as follows:
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 250 (Tuesday, December 31, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 107015-107021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30987]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
45 CFR Parts 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309, and 310
RIN 0970-AD06
Name Change From Office of Child Support Enforcement to Office of
Child Support Services
AGENCY: Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS or the Department).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In an effort to make child support regulations consistent with
recent rulemaking and updated Tribal child support processes and
reporting, this direct final rule (DFR) makes technical updates reflect
the current name of the child support program, Office of Child Support
Services (OCSS). This is a conforming update to
[[Page 107016]]
align with the Federal Register notice changing the office's name in
the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority
that was published on June 5, 2023, and updates based on the
Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement final rule
issued on February 12, 2024.
DATES: This rule is effective March 3, 2025, without further action
unless adverse comment is received by January 30, 2025. If significant
adverse comment is received, ACF will publish a timely withdrawal of
the rule in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Regulatory
Information Number (RIN) number, by one of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Written comments may be submitted to: Office of
Child Support Services, Attention: Director of Policy and Training, 330
C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and RIN for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted
without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided.
Docket: Go to the Federal Rulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov for access to the rulemaking docket, including any
background documents and the plain-language summary of the rule of not
more than 100 words in length required by the Providing Accountability
Through Transparency Act of 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tavaughn McKenny, Program Specialist,
OCSS Division of Policy and Training, at [email protected] or (202)
565-0129. Telecommunications Relay users may dial 711 first.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Submission of Comments
Comments should be specific, address issues raised by the rule, and
explain reasons for any objections or recommended changes. This rule
will be effective on the date shown in the DATES section unless OCSS
receives significant adverse comment on or before the deadline for
comments. Significant adverse comments are comments that provide strong
justifications for why the rule should not be adopted or for changing
the rule. OCSS does not expect to receive any significant adverse
comments because it is adopting the name change already announced in
the Federal Register and making technical updates to 45 CFR part 309.
If OCSS receives any significant adverse comments, it will publish a
document in the Federal Register withdrawing this rule before the
effective date. Although we will not acknowledge receipt of individual
comments, we will review and consider all comments that are relevant
and received during the comment period. We will respond to these
comments in the withdrawal if the rule is withdrawn. If OCSS receives
no significant adverse comments, the rule will be effective 60 days
after publication without further notice.
Statutory Authority
This DFR is published under the authority granted to the Secretary
of Health and Human Services by section 1102 of the Social Security Act
(the Act) (42 U.S.C. 1302). Section 1102 of the Act authorizes the
Secretary to publish regulations, not inconsistent with the Act, as may
be necessary to the efficient administration of the functions with
which the Secretary is responsible under the Act. This DFR is also
authorized by section 452(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 652(a)), which gives
the Secretary of HHS the statutory authority to change the name of the
child support program.
This DFR is further published in accordance with section 455(f) of
the Act (42 U.S.C. 655(f)) which authorizes the Secretary to make child
support funding available to Tribes and Tribal organizations operating
child support programs and to issue regulations establishing
requirements for Tribal child support programs.
Background
In 1975, Congress established the child support program under title
IV-D of the Social Security Act (Pub. L. 93-647). The child support
program is administered at the federal level by the Office of Child
Support Enforcement (OCSE) and functions in 54 states and territories
and over 60 Tribes. When the child support program began, its primary
focus was collecting child support to recover welfare costs, but that
has changed significantly over time. Today, the program is focused on
delivering family-centered child support services that improve the
long-term financial and emotional support of children, by collecting
and facilitating consistent child support payments based on
noncustodial parents' ability to pay. This evolution has been guided by
the changing needs of families, by Federal legislation, and by research
and data that contribute to OCSE's understanding of the standards and
requirements necessary to establish an effective child support program.
On June 5, 2023, ACF published a notice in the Federal Register, 88
FR 36587,\1\ updating the office's Statement of Organization,
Functions, and Delegations of Authority to announce that the Office of
Child Support Enforcement is now the Office of Child Support Services.
This name change reflects the program's commitment to serve the whole
family and provide services that promote family self-sufficiency, so
children receive reliable support from both parents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Name Change Announcement--Office of Child Support
Enforcement; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations
of Authority (88 FR 36587) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-06-05/pdf/2023-11815.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On February 12, 2024, ACF published a final rule in the Federal
Register, 89 FR 9784,\2\ to announce the Elimination of the Tribal Non-
Federal Share Requirement. The final rule provided additional support
to Tribes to administer their Tribal IV-D programs, however, a few
changes are required in related regulations in 45 CFR 309.75(e) to
align with the final rule. Additionally, as the Tribal IV-D program
continues to evolve, updated Tribal processes and reporting necessitate
updates to 45 CFR part 309.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See Final Rule--Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share
Requirement (89 FR 9784) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-12/pdf/2024-02110.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justification
The purpose of this rule is to change the name of the child support
program in 45 CFR chapter III, parts 301 through 310, and make required
technical updates to 45 CFR part 309. The name of the child support
program was changed from OCSE to OCSS on June 5, 2023. However, all
child support regulations throughout 45 CFR chapter III refer to the
child support program as OCSE. OCSS needs to change all references to
the child support program in 45 CFR chapter III from OCSE to OCSS to
align with the name change of the child support program.
Additionally, technical updates are required to remove paragraphs
one through four in 45 CFR 309.75(e) for alignment with the Elimination
of the Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement final rule. Technical
updates are also required to align Sec. 309.130(a)(2) with OCSS's
current process for making awards, and to align Sec. Sec. 309.20(b),
309.130(b)(3), 309.135(d), 309.160, and 309.170(b) introductory text,
(b)(1), (2), and (7), and (c) with updated Tribal IV-D reporting,
including Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
[[Page 107017]]
approved data collection forms, and to allow for Tribal IV-D program
applications to be submitted electronically.
Summary Description of the Regulatory Provisions
The following is a summary of the regulatory provisions included in
this direct final rule and, where appropriate, how these provisions
differ from the provisions currently reflected in 45 CFR chapter III.
The final rule makes a nomenclature change, to remove the name
``Office of Child Support Enforcement'' wherever it appears throughout
45 CFR chapter III, within titles, images, sections, and paragraphs,
and replace it with the name ``Office of Child Support Services''. This
name change promotes family self-sufficiency, emphasizing the need for
children to receive reliable support from both parents.
The term ``Office of Child Support Enforcement'' is replaced with
``Office of Child Support Services'' in 45 CFR chapter III as shown in
the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part Sections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
301............................. 301.1, 301.13.
303............................. 303.20.
304............................. 304.25, 304.29.
305............................. 305.32, 305.35.
309............................. 309.05, 309.20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final rule makes a nomenclature change, to remove the acronym
``OCSE'' wherever it appears throughout 45 CFR chapter III, within
titles, images, sections, and paragraphs, and replace it with the
acronym ``OCSS''. This acronym change supports the name change to
Office of Child Support Services that recognizes the program's
commitment to serve the whole family and provide services that promote
family self-sufficiency.
The acronym ``OCSE'' is replaced with acronym ``OCSS'' in 45 CFR
chapter III as shown in the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part Sections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
301............................. 301.13, 301.15, 301.16.
302............................. 302.85.
303............................. 303.11, 303.72.
304............................. 304.40.
305............................. 305.1, 305.35, 305.60, 305.66.
307............................. 307.1, 307.05, 307.15, 307.25.
308............................. 308.1.
309............................. 309.05, 309.45, 309.130, 309.145,
309.160, 309.170.
310............................. 310.1, 310.5, 310.10, 310.20, 310.25,
310.30, 310.35, 310.40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to changing the name of the ``Office of Child Support
Enforcement'' to the ``Office of Child Support Services'' and changing
the related acronym from ``OCSE'' to ``OCSS,'' this direct final rule
removes the word ``enforcement'' where it is unnecessary or changes the
word ``enforcement'' to the word ``services'' or the word ``program''
as appropriate. These changes acknowledge and reflect the name change
and the broader scope of services the child support program provides to
families. The changed provisions are Sec. Sec. 301.1, 301.13,
302.19(a), 302.30, 302.70(d)(2), 302.75(b)(6), 302.85(b)(2)(ii),
303.2(a)(3), 303.5(g)(ii)(B), 304.11, 304.20(b) introductory text,
(b)(1) introductory text, (b)(1)(iii), and (b)(12), 304.23(i), 304.24,
304.30, 305.1(d), 305.35(e), 307.1(h)(1), 307.5(c)(3), 309.01(a),
309.05, 309.10(c), 309.55, 309.130(a)(1), (b)(4), and (c)(2), and
309.170(a).
This direct final rule also changes the word ``insure'' to the word
``ensure'' in Sec. 302.19(a), and it adds the word ``child'' to
clarify ``support services'' and removes the word ``enforcement'' in
the heading and the body of Sec. 302.30.
Section 309.20 Who submits a Tribal IV-D program application and where?
Section 309.20(b) requires Tribes or Tribal organizations
submitting an initial application for funding under Sec. 309.65(a) to
mail the application to OCSS, with a copy to the appropriate regional
office. This rule amends that requirement by revising paragraph (b) to
allow applications to be submitted via email to
[email protected].
Section 309.75 What administrative and management procedures must a
Tribe or Tribal organization include in a Tribal IV-D plan?
Prior to the elimination of the Tribal non-Federal share
requirement, Sec. 309.75(e) described the requirements for a Tribe and
Tribal organization that intends to charge an application fee or
recover costs in excess of the fee. Collected fees and recovered costs
are considered program income and deducted from total allowable costs
in accordance with 45 CFR 75.307(e)(1). When we proposed eliminating
the Tribal non-Federal share requirement, we also proposed revising
Sec. 309.75(e) to require Tribal child support programs to have
procedures that prohibit charging fees and recovering costs and to
remove paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).\3\ There were no objections to
the proposed regulatory amendments and the amended language was
incorporated in the final rule.\4\ However, when the revisions to Sec.
309.75(e) were codified in the CFR, paragraphs (e)(1) through (4) were
inadvertently retained. This rule effectuates that conforming change by
removing paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Notice of Proposed Rulemaking--Elimination of the Tribal
Non-Federal Share Requirement (88 FR 24526) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-04-21/pdf/2023-07861.pdf.
\4\ See Final Rule--Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share
Requirement (89 FR 9784) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-12/pdf/2024-02110.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 309.130 How will Tribal IV-D programs be funded and what forms
are required?
Section 309.130(a)(2) provides that Tribes and Tribal organizations
eligible for grants of less than $1 million per 12-month funding period
will receive a single annual award, while those eligible for grants of
$1 million or more per 12-month funding period will receive four equal
quarterly awards. In practice, all Tribes and Tribal organizations
receive a single annual award regardless of the funded amount. This
rule makes a technical correction to Sec. 309.130(a)(2) by revising
the paragraph to align with OCSS's current process for making awards.
Tribes and Tribal organizations are required under Sec.
309.130(b)(3) to submit a final SF 425, ``Federal Financial Report,''
within 90 days after the end of the fourth quarter of both the funding
and liquidation periods. This timeframe is more restrictive than the
OMB modified closeout provisions at 2 CFR 200.344, which allow 120 days
for the submission of non-Federal entity closeout reports. In 2023, HHS
began following 2 CFR 200.344. As explained in the published Change in
Federal Award Closeout Provisions notice,\5\ ``[a]dhering to the 2 CFR
200.344 closeout provisions would provide more time for recipient
compliance and conform with other Federal awarding agencies, thus
promoting greater equity and fairness.'' For these same reasons, this
rule amends Sec. 309.130(b)(3) by removing the number ``90'' and
adding, in its place, the number ``120'' to align with 2 CFR 200.344.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Notice--Change in Federal Award Closeout Provisions (88
FR 63591) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-09-15/pdf/FR-2023-09-15.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 309.135 What requirements apply to funding, obligating and
liquidating Federal title IV-D grant funds?
Section 309.135(d) requires that a Tribe or Tribal organization use
Form SF 269A to report quarterly on the amount of Federal title IV-D
grant funds that have been obligated and liquidated and the amounts
that remain
[[Page 107018]]
unobligated and unliquidated at the end of each fiscal quarter during
the obligation and liquidation periods. Form SF 269A is now known as
the SF 425, ``Federal Financial Report.'' This rule makes a technical
correction to the citation by removing the number ``269A'' and adding,
in its place, the number ``425''.
Section 309.170 What statistical and narrative reporting requirements
apply to Tribal IV-D programs?
The OCSS-75 Tribal Annual Data Report is used to report program
status and accomplishments according to Sec. 309.170(b). In 2021, form
OCSS-75 was revised through a joint workgroup with Tribal child support
directors and provided to all Tribal child support directors for review
and feedback, in addition to being made available for public comment in
compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. As such, this rule updates Sec.
309.170 to conform to the revised OCSS-75 Tribal Annual Data Report,\6\
which was implemented beginning Fiscal Year 2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See OCSS AT-22-02 at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/css/policy-guidance/implementing-revised-ocse-75-form-and-instructions-effective-fy-2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 309.170(b) and (c) make a general reference to the
submission of Tribal IV-D program statistical and narrative reports.
This rule amends both citations to reference the Tribal Annual Data
Report (OCSS-75) more specifically by adding the text ``on the Tribal
Annual Data Report (OCSS-75)'' to paragraph (b) and removing the text
``Tribal IV-D program statistical and narrative reports'' from
paragraph (c) and adding, in its place, the text ``the Tribal Annual
Data Report (OCSS-75)''.
Section 309.170(b)(1) is amended to add the addition of new Tribal
reporting criteria on Line 2A of the OCSS-75 report, ``Total Number of
Tribal Cases Open at Any Time During the Fiscal Year''.
Section 309.170(b)(2) is amended to reflect revised OCSS-75 data
reporting requirements for paternity establishment. Requirements to
report out-of-wedlock births in the previous year and paternities
established or acknowledged are revised to reflect updated requirements
to report the total number of children in cases open at any time during
the fiscal year and the total number of children with paternity
concluded.
Section 309.170(b)(7) instructs Tribal child support programs to
report total costs claimed. However, the OCSS-75 report does not
collect data on total costs claimed. This rule removes paragraph (b)(7)
accordingly and redesignates paragraph (b)(8) to paragraph (b)(7).
Effective Dates
The effective date will be 60 days from the date of publication in
the Federal Register.
Regulatory Review
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
No new information collection requirements are imposed by these
regulations.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094, and
13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive
impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance
of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of
harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule meets the
standards of Executive Orders 12866, as amended by Executive Order
14094, and 13563 because it does not have an economic impact and it
harmonizes the OCSS Name Change, the Elimination of the Tribal Non-
Federal Share Requirement final rule, and Tribal IV-D regulations with
current Tribal IV-D processes and reporting requirements. There is no
financial impact to making these required technical updates.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Secretary certifies that, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), as enacted by
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354), this rule will not
result in a significant impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires
agencies to prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits
before issuing any rule that may result in an annual expenditure by
State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for
inflation). That threshold level is currently approximately $177
million. This rule does not impose any mandates on State, local, or
Tribal governments, or the private sector, that will exceed this
threshold in any year.
Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families
Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act of 1999 requires Federal agencies to determine whether a proposed
policy or regulation may affect family well-being. If the agency's
determination is affirmative, then the agency must prepare an impact
assessment addressing seven criteria specified in the law. We certify
that we have assessed this rule's impact on the well-being of families.
This rule will not affect family well-being.
Congressional Review
This rule is not a major rule as defined in 5 U.S.C. chapter 8.
Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132 prohibits an agency from publishing any rule
that has federalism implications if the rule either imposes substantial
direct compliance costs on State and local governments and is not
required by statute, or the rule preempts State law, unless the agency
meets the consultation and funding requirements of section 6 of the
Executive order. This rule does not have federalism impacts as defined
in the Executive Order 13132.
Meg Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the
Administration for Children and Families, performing the delegable
duties of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, approved
this document on December 10, 2024.
List of Subjects
45 CFR Part 301
Child support, Grant procedures, State plan approval.
45 CFR Part 302, 303, and 304
Child support, Grant programs--social programs.
45 CFR Part 305
Child support, Financial incentives, Penalties, Program performance
measures, Standards.
45 CFR Part 307
Child support, Computer technology, Grant programs--social
programs.
45 CFR Part 308
Child support, Grant programs--social programs, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
[[Page 107019]]
45 CFR Part 309
Child support, Grant programs--social programs, Indians--tribal
government.
45 CFR Part 310
Child support, Computer technology, Grant programs--social
programs, Indians--tribal government.
Dated: December 20, 2024.
Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Health
and Human Services amends 45 CFR parts 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307,
308, 309, and 310 as set forth below:
PART 301--STATE PLAN APPROVAL AND GRANT PROCEDURES
0
1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658, 659a, 660, 664, 666, 667,
1301, and 1302.
Sec. 301.1 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 301.1 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding in its place the word
``Services'' in the definitions for ``Director'', ``Federal PLS'',
``Office'', and ``Regional Office and Central Office''; and
0
b. Removing the word ``enforcement'' and adding in its place the word
``program'' in the definition for ``Procedures''.
Sec. 301.13 [Amended]
0
3. Amend Sec. 301.13 by:
0
a. Removing the text ``Child Support Enforcement'' from the
introductory text and adding, in its place, the text ``child support'';
0
b. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' everywhere it appears and adding,
in its place, the word ``Services'' in paragraph (b); and
0
c. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraph (e).
Sec. 301.15 [Amended]
0
4. Amend Sec. 301.15 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding, in its place, the word
``Services'' in the introductory text and paragraphs (a)(1) and (2);
and
0
b. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it appears and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) and (b)(2)
and (3).
Sec. 301.16 [Amended]
0
5. Amend Sec. 301.16(b)(1) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and
adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
PART 302--STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
0
6. The authority citation for part 302 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658, 659a, 660, 664, 666, 667,
1302, 1396a(a)(25), 1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o), 1396b(p), and 1396(k).
Sec. 302.19 [Amended]
0
7. Amend Sec. 302.19(a) by:
0
a. Removing the word ``insure'' and adding, in its place, the word
``ensure''; and
0
b. Removing the word ``enforcement''.
0
8. Amend Sec. 302.30 by revising the section heading to read as
follows:
Sec. 302.30 Publicizing the availability of child support services.
Sec. 302.70 [Amended]
0
9. Amend Sec. 302.70(d)(2) by removing the text ``Child Support
Enforcement'' and adding, in its place, ``child support''.
Sec. 302.75 [Amended]
0
10. Amend Sec. 302.75(b)(6) by removing the word ``Enforcement'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 302.85 [Amended]
0
11. Amend Sec. 302.85 by:
0
a. Removing the text ``OCSE website'' and adding, in its place, the
text ``OCSS website'' in paragraph (a)(1);
0
b. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraph (a)(2); and
0
c. Removing the text ``Child Support Enforcement'' in paragraph
(b)(2)(ii) and adding, in its place, the text ``child support''.
PART 303--STANDARDS FOR PROGRAM OPERATIONS
0
12. The authority citation for part 303 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 658, 659a, 660, 663, 664, 666,
667, 1302, 1396a(a)(25), 1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o), 1396b(p), 1396(k),
and 25 U.S.C. 1603(12) and 1621e.
Sec. 303.2 [Amended]
0
13. Amend Sec. 303.2(a)(3) by removing the word ``enforcement''.
Sec. 303.5 [Amended]
0
14. Amend Sec. 303.5(g)(1)(ii)(B) by removing the word
``enforcement''.
Sec. 303.11 [Amended]
0
15. Amend Sec. 303.11(b)(21)(iv) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and
adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
Sec. 303.20 [Amended]
0
16. Amend Sec. 303.20(b)(4) by removing the word ``Enforcement'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 303.72 [Amended]
0
17. Amend Sec. 303.72 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (b) heading, (f)(3), and
(h)(5).
PART 304--FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
0
18. The authority citation for part 304 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 651 through 655, 657, 1302, 1396a(a)(25),
1396b(d)(2), 1396b(o), 1396b(p), and 1396(k).
Sec. 304.11 [Amended]
0
19. Amend Sec. 304.11 by removing the word ``enforcement''.
Sec. 304.20 [Amended]
0
20. Amend Sec. 304.20 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding, in its place, the word
``Services'' in paragraphs (b) introductory text and (b)(1)(iii) and
(b)(12); and
0
b. Removing the text ``Child Support Enforcement'' in paragraph (b)(1)
introductory text and adding, in its place, the text ``child support''.
Sec. 304.23 [Amended]
0
21. Amend Sec. 304.23(i) by removing the word ``enforcement''.
Sec. 304.24 [Amended]
0
22. Amend Sec. 304.24 by removing the word ``Enforcement'' everywhere
it appears and adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 304.25 [Amended]
0
23. Amend Sec. 304.25(a) by removing the word ``Enforcement'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 304.29 [Amended]
0
24. Amend Sec. 304.29 by removing the word ``Enforcement'' everywhere
it appears and adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 304.30 [Amended]
0
25. Amend Sec. 304.30(a) introductory text and (b) introductory text
by removing the word ``enforcement''.
[[Page 107020]]
Sec. 304.40 [Amended]
0
26. Amend Sec. 304.40(a)(2) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and
adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
PART 305--PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASURES, STANDARDS, FINANCIAL
INCENTIVES, AND PENALITES
0
27. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(8), 652(a)(4) and (g), 658a, and
1302.
Sec. 305.1 [Amended]
0
28. Amend Sec. 305.1 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``enforcement'' from paragraph (d); and
0
b. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraph (j).
Sec. 305.32 [Amended]
0
29. Amend Sec. 305.32(f) by removing the word ``Enforcement'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Services''.
Sec. 305.35 [Amended]
0
30. Amend Sec. 305.35 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' from paragraph (e) introductory
text; and
0
b. Removing the text ``OCSE-396'' everywhere it appears and adding, in
its place, the text ``OCSS-396'' in paragraph (e); and
0
c. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding, in its place, the word
``Services'' in paragraph (f).
Sec. 305.60 [Amended]
0
31. Amend Sec. 305.60 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (a), (b) introductory
text, (c) introductory text, (c)(1), and (d).
Sec. 305.66 [Amended]
0
32. Amend Sec. 305.66(a) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding,
in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
PART 307--COMPUTERIZED SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM
0
33. The authority citation for part 307 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 652 through 658, 664, 666 through 669A, and
1302.
Sec. 307.1 [Amended]
0
34. Amend Sec. 307.1 by:
0
a. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraph (g); and
0
b. Removing the text ``Child Support Enforcement'' in paragraph (h)(1)
and adding, in its place, the text ``child support''.
Sec. 307.5 [Amended]
0
35. Amend Sec. 307.5 by:
0
a. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2); and
0
b. Removing the text ``Child Support Enforcement'' in paragraph (c)(3)
and adding, in its place, the text ``child support''.
Sec. 307.15 [Amended]
0
36. Amend Sec. 307.15 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (b)(10)(ii) introductory
text, (b)(10)(ii)(A) and (B), and (b)(10)(iii).
Sec. 307.25 [Amended]
0
37. Amend Sec. 307.25 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraph (b).
PART 308--ANNUAL STATE SELF-ASSESSMENT REVIEW AND REPORT
0
38. The authority citation for part 308 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 654(15)(A) and 1302.
Sec. 308.1 [Amended]
0
39. Amend Sec. 308.1(e)(1) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere
it appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
PART 309--TRIBAL CHILD SUPPORT (IV-D) PROGRAM
0
40. The authority citation for part 309 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 655(f) and 1302.
0
41. Revise the heading for part 309 to read as set forth above.
Sec. 309.01 [Amended]
0
42. Amend Sec. 309.01(a) by removing the word ``enforcement''.
0
43. Amend Sec. 309.05 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding in its place the word
``Services'' in the definition for ``Central office'';
0
b. Removing the definition of ``OCSE'' and adding the definition of
``OCSS'' in its place; and
0
c. Revising the definition of ``Title IV-D''.
The addition and revision read as follows:
Sec. 309.05 What definitions apply to this part?
* * * * *
OCSS refers to the Federal Office of Child Support Services.
* * * * *
Title IV-D refers to the title of the Social Security Act that
authorizes the Child Support Services Program, including the Tribal
Child Support Program.
* * * * *
Sec. 309.10 [Amended]
0
44. Amend Sec. 309.10(c) introductory by removing the word
``enforcement''.
0
45. Amend Sec. 309.20 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 309.20 Who submits a Tribal IV-D program application and where?
* * * * *
(b) Applications must be submitted to the Office of Child Support
Services, either via email to [email protected] or mailed to the
Office of Child Support Services, Attention: Federal Office of Child
Support Services, with a copy to the appropriate regional office.
Sec. 309.45 [Amended]
0
46. Amend Sec. 309.45(c) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding,
in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
0
47. Revise Sec. 309.55 to read as follows:
Sec. 309.55 What does this subpart cover?
This subpart defines the Tribal IV-D plan provisions that are
required to demonstrate that a Tribe or Tribal organization has the
capacity to operate a child support program meeting the objectives of
title IV-D of the Act and this part, including establishment of
paternity, establishment, modification, and enforcement of support
orders, and location of noncustodial parents.
Sec. 309.75 [Amended]
0
48. Amend Sec. 309.75 by removing paragraphs (e)(1) through (4).
0
49. Amend Sec. 309.130 by:
0
a. Removing the word ``enforcement'' in paragraph (a)(1);
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(2);
0
c. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS'' in paragraph (b) introductory text;
0
d. Removing the number ``90'' and adding, in its place, the number
``120'' in paragraph (b)(3);
0
e. In paragraph (b)(4):
0
i. Removing the text ``OCSE-34'' and ``OCSE'' and adding, in their
places, the text ``OCSS-34'' and ``OCSS'', respectively; and
0
ii. Removing the word ``Enforcement'' and adding, in its place, the
word ``Services''; and
0
f. Removing the word ``enforcement'' in paragraph (c)(2).
The revision reads as follows:
[[Page 107021]]
Sec. 309.130 How will Tribal IV-D programs be funded and what forms
are required?
(a) * * *
(2) Tribes and Tribal organizations eligible for grants will
receive a single annual award.
* * * * *
Sec. 309.135 [Amended]
0
50. Amend Sec. 309.135(d) by removing the number ``269A'' and adding,
in its place, the number ``425''.
Sec. 309.145 [Amended]
0
51. Amend Sec. 309.145(a)(3)(v) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and
adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
Sec. 309.160 [Amended]
0
52. Amend Sec. 309.160 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
Sec. 309.170 [Amended]
0
53. Amend Sec. 309.170 by:
0
a. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (a), the introductory text
of paragraph (b), and paragraphs (b)(1) and (2);
0
b. Adding the word ``and'' at the end of paragraph (b)(6);
0
c. Removing paragraph (b)(7);
0
d. Redesignate paragraph (b)(8) as paragraph (b)(7); and
0
e. Revising paragraph (c).
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 309.170 What statistical and narrative reporting requirements
apply to Tribal IV-D programs?
(a) Tribes and Tribal organizations operating a Tribal IV-D program
must submit to OCSS the Child Support Services Program: Quarterly
Report of Collections (Form OCSS-34). * * *
(b) Tribes and Tribal organizations must submit the following
information and statistics for Tribal IV-D program activity and
caseload on the Tribal Annual Data Report (OCSS-75) for each annual
funding period:
(1) Total number of cases and, of the total number of cases, the
number that are Tribal cases, the number that are State or Tribal TANF
cases, and the number that are non-TANF cases;
(2) Total number of children in cases open during the fiscal year
and total number of children with paternity concluded;
* * * * *
(c) A Tribe or Tribal organization must submit the Tribal Annual
Data Report (OCSS-75) required by paragraph (b) of this section no
later than 90 days after the end of each funding period.
PART 310--COMPUTERIZED TRIBAL IV-D SYSTEM AND OFFICE AUTOMATION
0
54. The authority citation for part 310 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 655(f) and 1302.
Sec. 310.1 [Amended]
0
55. Amend Sec. 310.1(a)(6) by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and
adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
Sec. 310.5 [Amended]
0
56. Amend Sec. 310.5(b)(1) by:
0
a. Removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in its place, the acronym
``OCSS''; and
0
b. Removing the words ``of this part''.
Sec. 310.10 [Amended]
0
57. Amend Sec. 310.10 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (a)(1), (f) introductory
text, (f)(2), and (g).
Sec. 310.20 [Amended]
0
58. Amend Sec. 310.20 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs
(a)(1) and (b).
Sec. 310.25 [Amended]
0
59. Amend Sec. 310.25 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' and adding, in
its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs (b), (c)(2), and (d).
Sec. 310.30 [Amended]
0
60. Amend Sec. 310.30 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs
(a) and (b).
Sec. 310.35 [Amended]
0
61. Amend Sec. 310.35 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS'' in paragraphs
(a) introductory text, (a)(1) introductory text, (a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)
introductory text, (a)(2)(ii), and (b).
Sec. 310.40 [Amended]
0
62. Amend Sec. 310.40 by removing the acronym ``OCSE'' everywhere it
appears and adding, in its place, the acronym ``OCSS''.
[FR Doc. 2024-30987 Filed 12-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-41-P