Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023

Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Census Bureau to take certain actions with respect to poverty measures and data related to child poverty. It also requires the National Academy of Sciences to report annually on child poverty and study other issues, such as policies to reduce intergenerational poverty.

Specifically, HHS must enter into an agreement with the Census Bureau to annually report an anchored supplemental poverty measure for individuals under the age of 18 and must otherwise collaborate with the bureau to, for example, correct income data to account for underreporting.

Currently, the Census Bureau uses the official poverty measure (based on cash resources) and the supplemental poverty measure (based on both cash and certain noncash resources, such as nutrition assistance program benefits) to measure poverty. Anchoring the supplemental poverty measure fixes the poverty threshold at a given point in time and then adjusts it for inflation.

HHS must publish resources on its website related to child poverty, and the Census Bureau must release certain economic and survey data at the same time it releases a specific report related to income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States.

The Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 5629, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the goal of reducing child poverty in the United States. The bill aims to address the issue of child poverty by implementing a series of measures that will provide support and assistance to low-income families with children.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which will provide additional financial assistance to families with children. This expansion will increase the amount of the credit and make it available to more families, helping to lift children out of poverty.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase funding for programs that support low-income families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. These programs provide essential support to families in need and help to ensure that children have access to the resources they need to thrive. The Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023 also includes measures to address the root causes of child poverty, such as lack of access to affordable housing and healthcare. The bill includes provisions to increase funding for affordable housing programs and expand access to healthcare for low-income families. Overall, the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that aims to reduce child poverty in the United States by providing support and assistance to low-income families with children. By addressing the root causes of child poverty and providing essential resources to families in need, the bill seeks to improve the lives of children and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.