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Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
P.L. 108-36

Overview

Major Provisions of the Act

• Reauthorized CAPTA through FY 2008
• Authorized an expanded continuing interdisciplinary and longitudinal research program; provided for an opportunity for public comment on research priorities
• Emphasized enhanced linkages between child protective service agencies and public health, mental health, and developmental disabilities agencies
• Mandated changes to State plan eligibility requirements for the CAPTA State grant, including:
  • Policies and procedures to address the needs of infants born and identified as being affected by prenatal drug exposure
  • Provisions and procedures requiring that a CPS representative at the initial contact advise an individual of complaints and allegations made against him or her
  • Provisions addressing the training of CPS workers regarding their legal duties in order to protect the legal rights and safety of children and families
  • Provisions to require a State to disclose confidential information to any Federal, State, or local government entity with a need for such information
  • Provisions and procedures for referral of a child under age 3 who is involved in a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect to early intervention services funded under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Directed the Secretary to provide for implementation of programs to increase the number of older foster children placed in adoptive families, including a grants program to eliminate barriers to placing children for adoption across jurisdictional boundaries
• Amended the Abandoned Infants Assistance grants program to prohibit grants unless the applicant agrees to give priority to infants and young children who:
  • Are infected with or exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or have a life-threatening illness
  • Have been perinatally exposed to a dangerous drug

Updated on October 29, 2009