H.R. 5647 — Advocates for Families Act of 2025

This section amends state plan requirements for child welfare services programs (42 U.S.C. 622(b)) by adding a new paragraph (20) that requires states to (1) permit any parent, foster parent, or legal guardian of a child to seek and receive services of a family advocate—who may represent their interests throughout any child welfare case or interaction—without obligating the state to pay; (2) implement standards and rules governing family advocate professional conduct; (3) inform such individuals, from the start of any child welfare case, of the right to family advocate representation and available local resources; and (4) report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the effects of this right on child welfare services and related recommendations. This section also requires the Secretary to submit to specified House and Senate committees, within two years of enactment and biennially thereafter, a report on states' implementation of the family advocate right based on state submissions.