HHS Rule Aims to Slash Paperwork for Homeless Youth Aid
Published Date: 4/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services is making rules for programs that help runaway and homeless youth simpler and easier to understand. These changes cut out extra paperwork and confusing parts, so organizations can focus more on helping kids and families. If you want to share your thoughts, send comments by May 6, 2026—this update aims to save time and make a bigger impact without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Removal of Duplicative Grant Rules
HHS proposes to remove duplicative regulatory sections 45 CFR 1351.11, 1351.12, 1351.13, and 1351.20 from the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program rules. You (organizations that apply for or receive RHY grants) will no longer see those repeated statutory requirements in the regulations, which is intended to reduce confusion and redundant text.
Shift Details to NOFOs (Allowable Costs & More)
HHS proposes to remove sections that describe program purpose, project periods, allowable and unallowable costs, application procedures, and program-specific requirements (45 CFR 1351.10, 1351.14, 1351.15, 1351.16, 1351.17, 1351.24, 1351.25, and 1351.27) and rely on Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) to provide those details. If you apply for or manage RHY grants, you will need to look to NOFOs and other grant documents for specific project periods, cost rules, and additional program requirements instead of relying on the text of the CFR.
No New Paperwork Burdens Under PRA
The NPRM states it does not contain information requiring OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act and will not create new paperwork burdens or change existing burdens subject to OMB review. That means the proposal is intended not to add new federal reporting or recordkeeping requirements tied to this rulemaking.
Agency Certifies No Significant Small-Entity Impact
HHS proposes to certify under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that repealing obsolete and unnecessary language in these regulations would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The agency also states this is a deregulatory action and not a significant action under Executive Order 12866.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-16134, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-20363, Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Federal Case Registry
The Office of Child Support Enforcement wants to keep running the Federal Case Registry for three more years with no changes. This database helps states track and manage child support cases across the country, making sure parents pay what they owe and kids get support. States are the main users, and the public can comment until November 4, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06642, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program
Starting in fiscal year 2027, Medicare is updating how it pays inpatient rehab facilities, including new rules to start therapy within 36 hours of admission and better tracking of patient progress. Rural payment boosts will continue to phase out, and quality reporting gets a refresh. These changes affect rehab centers and patients, with public comments open until June 1, 2026, so everyone can weigh in before the new rules kick in.
Next: 2026-06662, Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 6-Draft
The EPA just shared a draft list of 75 chemicals, 4 groups of substances, and 9 microbes that might show up in our drinking water and could need new safety rules. This affects everyone who drinks public water, and the EPA wants your thoughts by June 5, 2026, before making final decisions. While no new costs are set yet, future rules could impact water providers and communities.