H.R. 9994, Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act (Pending, 119th Congress)

This bill is not law. It is pending and has not passed.

The short answer

H.R. 9994, the Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act, is a bill in the 119th Congress H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House. It was introduced July 30, 2026 Congress.gov bill status for H.R. 9994 (119th Congress). Its latest action on Congress.gov is "Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means" Congress.gov bill status for H.R. 9994 (119th Congress). If it became law, a state's federal child welfare plan would have to assure that no child is separated from a parent or guardian solely on the basis of poverty H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

What it would change

A new state plan assurance. Section 2, headed "State plan requirements" H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House, would amend section 422(b) of the Social Security Act, which is in part B of title IV H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House. Requirements in that part of the law are a condition of federal support for state child welfare services programs H.R. 5647 (119th Congress), introduced in House (official title). The new paragraph would require a state to assure that:

• "no child is separated from a parent or guardian of the child solely on the basis of poverty" H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House; and
• the state will develop or improve services and benefits to keep families in poverty safely together, such as help with housing insecurity or a parent's unemployment H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

A report to Congress. HHS would have to report to Congress within 2 years after the bill became law H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House. The report would look at how poverty affects:

• investigations about a child's welfare H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House;
• allegations of neglect, abuse, or other maltreatment H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House; and
• temporary or permanent removals of children from their homes H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

It would also include recommendations for legislation to help keep children in poor families from being separated from them H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

What federal law already says. A 2025 law that is already in effect added a related requirement to a different part of the Title IV-B plan, section 432(a) Public Law 118-258 (Supporting America's Children and Families Act). That part requires the plan to describe policies "with the goal to prevent the separation of a child from a parent of the child solely due to poverty" Public Law 118-258 (Supporting America's Children and Families Act). See Supporting America's Children and Families Act (2025): Title IV-B Child Welfare Programs Renewed Through 2029. H.R. 9994 would add a separate assurance to section 422(b) H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

How it relates to Texas

Texas law names DFPS as the state agency that cooperates with the federal government on Title IV-B and IV-E programs Tex. Hum. Res. Code §40.002. DFPS must cooperate "to the extent necessary to qualify for federal assistance in the delivery of services" Tex. Hum. Res. Code §40.002. If H.R. 9994 were enacted, its assurance would become one of the Title IV-B plan conditions H.R. 5647 (119th Congress), introduced in House (official title). Because H.R. 9994 is not law, it changes nothing in Texas today.

Texas already has its own rule on poverty in its definition of neglect. That definition excludes a failure to provide food, clothing, or shelter "caused primarily by financial inability unless relief services had been offered and refused" Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4). See CPS Investigation Findings in Texas: Reason to Believe, Ruled Out and More.

Which laws it affects

• It would amend section 422(b) of the Social Security Act, at 42 U.S.C. 622(b) H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House.
• It would not amend any Texas statute; its text amends only the Social Security Act H.R. 9994 (119th Congress), introduced in House. Related Texas law: Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4).

Related

• Supporting America's Children and Families Act (2025): Title IV-B Child Welfare Programs Renewed Through 2029
• H.R. 8757, Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 (Pending, 119th Congress)
• CPS Investigation Findings in Texas: Reason to Believe, Ruled Out and More
• Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) in Texas: What Families Should Know