Page 25

128 STAT. 1995 PUBLIC LAW 113–186—NOV. 19, 2014 ‘‘(4) disseminate, for voluntary informational purposes, information on practices that scientifically valid research indicates are most successful in improving the quality of pro- grams that receive assistance with this subchapter; and ‘‘(5) after consultation with the heads of any other Federal agencies involved, issue guidance and disseminate information on best practices regarding the use of funding combined by States as described in section 658E(c)(2)(O)(ii), consistent with laws other than this subchapter.’’. (b) REQUEST FOR RELIEF.—Section 658I of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858g), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end of the following: ‘‘(c) REQUEST FOR RELIEF.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may waive for a period of not more than three years any provision under this sub- chapter or sanctions imposed upon a State in accordance with subsection (b)(2) upon the State’s request for such a waiver if the Secretary finds that— ‘‘(A) the request describes one or more conflicting or duplicative requirements preventing the effective delivery of child care services to justify a waiver, extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disaster or financial crisis, or an extended period of time for a State legislature to enact legislation to implement the provisions of this sub- chapter; ‘‘(B) such circumstances included in the request prevent the State from complying with any statutory or regulatory requirements of this subchapter; ‘‘(C) the waiver will, by itself, contribute to or enhance the State’s ability to carry out the purposes of this sub- chapter; and, ‘‘(D) the waiver will not contribute to inconsistency with the objectives of this law. ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Such request shall be provided to the Secretary in writing and will— ‘‘(A) detail each sanction or provision within this sub- chapter that the State seeks relief from; ‘‘(B) describe how a waiver from that sanction or provi- sion of this subchapter will, by itself, improve delivery of child care services for children in the State; and ‘‘(C) certify that the health, safety, and well-being of children served through assistance received under this sub- chapter will not be compromised as a result of the waiver. ‘‘(3) APPROVAL.—Within 90 days after the receipt of a State’s request under this subsection, the Secretary shall inform the State of approval or disapproval of the request. If the plan is disapproved, the Secretary shall, at this time, inform the State, the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate of the reasons for the disapproval and give the State the opportunity to amend the request. In the case of approval, the Secretary shall, within 30 days of granting such waiver, notify and submit a report to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on the circumstances of Reports. Deadlines. Notifications. Certification. Waiver authority. Time period. VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:40 Nov 10, 2020 Jkt 039194 PO 00002 Frm 00571 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2014\PT2\39194PT2.001 39194PT2 dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)