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This DFR would eliminate the Administration for Children and Families’ obsolete and unnecessary regulations related to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Statement of Need:

This DFR proposes to modify Office of Refugee Resettlement regulations to identify outdated and obsolete regulations, while also shining a brighter spotlight onto the regulations that remain in order to support for families, reduce administrative burdens for states, territories, and Tribes, and provide additional flexibilities. The proposed changes would remove outdated provisions and streamline requirements.

This action is necessary as ACF has amassed nearly 1,500 sections of regulations, some of which have not been amended or updated since the final year of the Johnson Administration. Without this intentional removal of dead-weight regulations, regulatory provisions can confuse and burden members of the public who are forced to abide by them.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

TBD

Alternatives:

ACF has considered alternatives, including issuance of sub-regulatory guidance, but has determined that regulatory action is necessary to reduce burden on states, territories, and tribes who are currently saddled with dead weight text that presently remains on the books.  Sub-regulatory action alone is insufficient to overcome outdated and obsolete mandates and requirements included in existing regulations.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The regulations that are to be repealed as a result of this rulemaking are obsolete, and thus currently impose limited cost. As a result, the financial cost associated with their removal will not necessarily result in saved dollars, but will rather provide clarity and ease confusion to grantees and the public who interact with ACF’s regulations.

Risks:

ACF expects this DFR will be well-received by the community as this serves to eliminate unnecessary and obsolete regulations.