Authority to provide social services block grants directly to Indian Tribes

Section 2003 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397b) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: Allotments for Indian tribes, as defined in section 428(d), or tribal consortia, with a grant approved under this subtitle for fiscal year 2026 or any succeeding fiscal year shall be determined in accordance with subsection (d).; (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting (after application of the reservation required by subsection (d)(1)) after subsection (c); and (3) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (11), by striking thereafter. and inserting thereafter through fiscal year 2025; and; (B) by inserting after paragraph (11), the following: (12) $1,790,000,000 for the fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Tribal allocations (1) In general Of the amounts specified in subsection (c) for a fiscal year, 5 percent shall be available for grants made with Indian tribes or tribal consortia in accordance with this subsection. (2) Grant authority The Secretary shall make grants to Indian tribes or tribal consortia for planning and carrying out programs and activities under this subtitle, including through cultural preservation and traditional practices. (3) Criteria The Secretary shall establish criteria, in consultation with Indian tribes and tribal consortia, for the review and approval of applications for grants under this subsection. (4) Allotments (A) In general From the amount reserved pursuant to paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each Indian tribe with a grant approved under this subtitle— (i) $25,000; plus (ii) an amount that bears the same ratio to the adjusted reserved amount as the population of the Indian tribe bears to the population of all Indian tribes with approved grants, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most current and reliable information available to the Secretary. (B) Adjusted reserve amount In subparagraph (A), the term adjusted reserved amount means, with respect to a fiscal year— (i) the amount reserved pursuant to paragraph (1) for the fiscal year; minus (ii) the product of— (I) $25,000; and (II) the number of Indian tribes which have approved grants under this subsection for the fiscal year. (C) Tribal consortia If a grant submitted by a consortium of Indian tribes is approved under this subtitle, the Secretary shall allot to the consortium an amount equal to the sum of the allotments determined for each Indian tribe that is part of the consortium. (5) Reallocation Funds that are not distributed to Indian tribes and tribal consortia during a fiscal year shall be available for reallocation to eligible Indian tribes and tribal consortia. (6) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to— (A) serve as an authorization to limit the eligibility of any individual to participate in any program offered by a State or subdivision thereof; (B) modify any requirement imposed upon a State by any provision in this subtitle; or (C) preclude or discourage an agreement between any Indian tribe and any State that facilitates the provision of services by the Indian tribe to the service population of the Indian tribe..