Comprehensive Tribal Child Support Enforcement Programs

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is issuing this interim final rule to implement direct funding to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations under section 455(f) of the Social Security Act (the Act) as added by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-193), and amended by section 5546 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33). Section 455(f) of the Act authorizes direct funding of Tribal Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs meeting requirements contained in the statute and established by the Secretary by regulation. This interim final rule enables Tribes and Tribal organizations currently operating a comprehensive Tribal CSE program directly or through agreement, resolution, or contract, to apply for and receive direct Tribal CSE funding. This interim final rule addresses the requirements in section 455(f) and provides guidance to these Tribes and Tribal organizations on how to apply for and, upon approval, receive direct funding for the operation of Tribal CSE programs. A separate notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a wider range of Tribal CSE programs is published concurrently with this interim final rule, in this Federal Register.