H.R. 9994 – Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act

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Updated August 4, 2026 at 6:23 AM UTC

The Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act amends the Social Security Act to require states to guarantee that children are not removed from their parents solely because the family is poor. It also obligates states to improve services—such as housing help and unemployment assistance—to keep families together. Within two years, the Health and Human Services Secretary must report on how poverty influences child‑protective actions and suggest legislative fixes.

Key Provisions

Adds a new requirement (paragraph 20) to state plans that no child may be separated from a parent or guardian solely on the basis of poverty.
Mandates states to develop or improve services (e.g., housing security, unemployment assistance) aimed at keeping families living in poverty together.
Requires the HHS Secretary to submit a report within two years on how poverty affects child‑protective contacts, investigations, neglect allegations, removals, and placements, and to provide legislative recommendations to address these issues.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

July 30, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 30, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

July 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 30, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9994

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 30, 2026

Ms. Moore of Wisconsin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security to ensure that child protective services systems do not permit the separation of children from parents solely on the basis of poverty, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act.

2.

State plan requirements

Section 422(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (18), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (19)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(20)

provide assurances that—

(A)

no child is separated from a parent or guardian of the child solely on the basis of poverty; and

(B)

the State will develop or improve services and benefits to keep families in poverty safely together, such as through assistance with respect to housing insecurity or unemployment of parents or guardians in such families.

.

3.

Report on child poverty and neglect

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the following:

(1)

The effect of poverty with respect to—

(A)

contacts with authorities related to child and family services;

(B)

investigations carried out related to the welfare of a child;

(C)

allegations of child neglect, abuse, or other forms of maltreatment;

(D)

temporary or permanent removals of a child from the home, family, or household of the child;

(E)

transient, temporary, or permanent placements in foster care, kinship care, or other informal care settings; and

(F)

and other actions that affect the custody or care of a child.

(2)

Recommendations for legislation to accurately gain information related to paragraph (1).

(3)

Recommendations for legislation to help prevent a family in poverty from experiencing the separation, whether permanent or temporary, of a child from the family.