42 U.S.C. 601 - Purpose

• Cite as: 42 U.S.C. 601

(a) In general

The purpose of this part is to increase the flexibility of States in operating a program designed to-

(1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;

(2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;

(3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and

(4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

(b) No individual entitlement

This part shall not be interpreted to entitle any individual or family to assistance under any State program funded under this part.

Cite as 42 U.S.C. § 601

Source: Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §401, as added Pub. L. 104-193, title I, §103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2112; amended Pub. L. 105-33, title V, §5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620.

Notes from the Office of Law Revision Counsel

current through 1/4/2022

EDITORIAL NOTES

PRIOR PROVISIONS

A prior section 601, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §401, 49 Stat. 627; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 2, §4, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7873, 60 Stat. 1095; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§5, 8, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, §312(a), 70 Stat. 848; July 25, 1962, Pub. L. 87-543, title I, §104(a)(4), (c)(2), 76 Stat. 185, 186; Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90-248, title II, §241(b)(1), 81 Stat. 916, related to authorization of appropriations for Aid to Families With Dependent Children program prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104-193, §103(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105-33, title V, §5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620.

AMENDMENTS

1997- Pub. L. 105-33 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 104-193, §103(a)(1), which enacted this section.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT

Amendment by Pub. L. 105-33 effective as if included in the provision of Pub. L. 104-193 amended at the time the provision became law, see section 5518(d) of Pub. L. 105-33 set out as a note under section 862a of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Pub. L. 104-193, title I, §116, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2181, as amended by Pub. L. 104-327, §1(a), (c), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 4002, 4003; Pub. L. 105-33, title V, §§5516(b)5517,, 55175517,, 111 Stat. 620, 621, provided that:

"(a) EFFECTIVE DATES.-

"(1) IN GENERAL.-Except as otherwise provided in this title [see Tables for classification], this title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on July 1, 1997.

"(2) DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR CERTAIN PROVISIONS.-Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (but subject to subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii)), paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), and (10) of section 409(a) and section 411(a) of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 609(a), 611(a) ] (as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act) shall not take effect with respect to a State until, and shall apply only with respect to conduct that occurs on or after, the later of-

"(A) July 1, 1997; or

"(B) the date that is 6 months after the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 602(a) ] (as added by such amendment).

"(3) GRANTS TO OUTLYING AREAS.-The amendments made by section 103(b) [amending section 1308 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1996.

"(4) ELIMINATION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS.-The amendments made by section 103(c) [amending sections 602 and 603 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1996.

"(5) DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO NEW CHILD CARE ENTITLEMENT.-Sections 403(a)(1)(C), 403(a)(1)(D), and 419(4) of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(C), (D), 619(4) ], as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on October 1, 1996.

"(6) RESEARCH, EVALUATIONS, AND NATIONAL STUDIES.-Section 413 of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 613 ], as added by the amendment made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996].

"(b) TRANSITION RULES.-Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]:

"(1) STATE OPTION TO ACCELERATE EFFECTIVE DATE; LIMITATION ON FISCAL YEARS 1996 AND 1997 PAYMENTS.-

"(A) IN GENERAL.-If the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from a State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 602(a) ] (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), then-