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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 628b. National random sample study of child welfare
(a) In general
The Secretary shall conduct (directly, or by grant, contract, or
interagency agreement) a national study based on random samples of
children who are at risk of child abuse or neglect, or are
determined by States to have been abused or neglected.
(b) Requirements
The study required by subsection (a) of this section shall -
(1) have a longitudinal component; and
(2) yield data reliable at the State level for as many States
as the Secretary determines is feasible.
(c) Preferred contents
In conducting the study required by subsection (a) of this
section, the Secretary should -
(1) carefully consider selecting the sample from cases of
confirmed abuse or neglect; and
(2) follow each case for several years while obtaining
information on, among other things -
(A) the type of abuse or neglect involved;
(B) the frequency of contact with State or local agencies;
(C) whether the child involved has been separated from the
family, and, if so, under what circumstances;
(D) the number, type, and characteristics of out-of-home
placements of the child; and
(E) the average duration of each placement.
(d) Reports
(1) In general
From time to time, the Secretary shall prepare reports
summarizing the results of the study required by subsection (a)
of this section.
(2) Availability
The Secretary shall make available to the public any report
prepared under paragraph (1), in writing or in the form of an
electronic data tape.
(3) Authority to charge fee
The Secretary may charge and collect a fee for the furnishing
of reports under paragraph (2).
(e) Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not
otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary for
each of fiscal years 1996 through 2002 $6,000,000 to carry out this
section.
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