42 U.S.C. § 669b — Grants to States for access and visitation programs

(a) In general. The Administration for Children and Families must make grants so States can create and run programs that support and make easier noncustodial parents’ access to and visits with their children. Activities may include voluntary or required mediation, counseling, education, parenting plans, enforcing visitation (including monitoring, supervision, and neutral drop-off and pickup), and guidelines for visitation and alternative custody arrangements. (b) Amount of grant. For a fiscal year, a State’s grant is the smaller of: (1) 90 percent of the State’s spending during that year on the activities in subsection (a); or (2) the State’s allotment under subsection (c). (c) Allotments to States. (1) In general. A State’s allotment is its share of $10,000,000 based on the number of children in that State who live with only one biological parent compared with the number of such children in all States. (2) Minimum allotment. The Administration must adjust the allotments so no State receives less than $50,000 for fiscal year 1997 or 1998, or less than $100,000 for any later fiscal year. (d) No supplantation of State expenditures for similar activities. A State may not use the grant to replace its own spending on subsection (a) activities. It must use the grant to add to that spending, at a level at least as high as its spending for fiscal year 1995. (e) State administration. A State receiving a grant: (1) may run the programs itself or through grants or contracts with courts, local public agencies, or nonprofit private entities; (2) does not have to operate them statewide; and (3) must monitor, evaluate, and report on them under regulations issued by the Secretary.