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Transition Equity Act of 2025 (TEA Act)
# TRANSITION EQUITY ACT OF 2025 (TEA ACT)
[Commentary: Aligns with the federal fiscal calendar for reporting and budgetary consistency.]This Act may be cited as the "Transition Equity Act of 2025" or the "TEA Act".
For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) CHILD.—The term “child” means any individual under the age of 18, or under the age of 21 if the individual is currently participating in a secondary education program, postsecondary education, transitional living program, or aging out of a state-supported care system. [Commentary: This definition is intentionally inclusive of older youth in transitional stages, a group often underserved by traditional child support or benefit systems.]
(2) LEGAL GUARDIAN.—The term “legal guardian” means any adult who has legal custody of a child under state or tribal law, including biological parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, foster guardians, or court-appointed custodians. [Commentary: Broadened to ensure kinship care and tribal guardianship are explicitly protected under this Act.]
(3) UNIFIED CONTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE (UCI).—The term “Unified Contribution Infrastructure” or “UCI” refers to a federally administered digital public ledger designed to track contributions, benefit eligibility, and fund disbursements for the purposes of this Act. The UCI shall be publicly auditable and accessible to local oversight bodies and individual participants. [Commentary: The UCI is the technical backbone of the Act. It enforces transparency and removes dependency on court-ordered compliance.]
(4) BENEFIT TRUST.—The term “benefit trust” means a secure, non-withdrawable financial account under the name of a qualifying child into which benefits under this Act are deposited monthly. These trusts shall be managed in compliance with federal child asset protection standards. [Commentary: Ensures funds are locked for the child’s benefit and cannot be misused by adults.]
(5) STABILIZATION BENEFIT.—The term “stabilization benefit” means a recurring monthly cash or voucher-equivalent payment distributed to the benefit trust of a qualifying child, intended to support food security, housing stability, medical access, or educational advancement. [Commentary: The monthly floor of dignity. This benefit is what replaces unreliable or adversarial enforcement collection.]
(6) LOCAL OVERSIGHT BOARD.—The term “Local Oversight Board” means a locally governed, publicly accountable review body established under Title VII of this Act, responsible for monitoring, auditing, and reporting the implementation and performance of TEA Act programs within its jurisdiction. [Commentary: Establishes a civic check-and-balance at the community level.]
(7) LEGAL RESIDENT.—The term “legal resident” includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, individuals granted asylum, and other non-citizens lawfully present in the United States who meet criteria for participation in civic oversight roles but are not eligible recipients under Section 301. [Commentary: Clarifies that non-citizens can participate in oversight even if not eligible to receive funds.]
(8) TAO.—The term “TAO” refers to the “TEA Act Oversight Office,” a dedicated office within the Department of Health and Human Services established under Title VII to manage federal administration, performance tracking, and compliance enforcement of this Act. [Commentary: Central administrative body responsible for nationwide consistency and enforcement.]
(9) PARTICIPATING STATE.—The term “participating state” means any state, territory, or tribal government that enters into agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the TEA Act and its associated funding mechanisms. [Commentary: Participation is opt-in, allowing flexibility while maintaining federal standards.]
(10) FAMILY UNIT.—The term “family unit” shall mean a household consisting of one or more qualifying children and their legal guardian(s), as defined under this Act, who collectively apply for or receive benefits. [Commentary: A flexible definition that reflects the lived reality of diverse family structures.]
(11) TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES.—The term “transitional support services” means wraparound benefits including but not limited to transportation stipends, mental health access, reproductive care support, and postsecondary navigation services that may be authorized under Title VI for specific family units. [Commentary: Allows for targeted services beyond monthly cash to improve long-term outcomes.]
(12) FRAUD.—The term “fraud” refers to the intentional misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts by an applicant, agency, or fiduciary for the purpose of unlawfully receiving or distributing benefits under this Act. [Commentary: Provides legal basis for penalties in Title VIII.]
(13) FISCAL YEAR.—The term “fiscal year” means the 12-month accounting period beginning on October 1 of each year and ending on September 30 of the following year. [Commentary: Aligns with the federal fiscal calendar for reporting and budgetary consistency.]
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Transition Equity Act (TEA Act) is to establish a unified, transparent, and locally accountable system of direct support for children and families that replaces the adversarial and often punitive structures of traditional child support enforcement with equitable, proactive, and dignity-centered benefit mechanisms. [Commentary: This statement reframes the TEA Act as a shift from enforcement to equity, signaling a national pivot in how we support families.]
(b) POLICY INTENT.—It is the intent of Congress to—
(1) Provide all qualifying children with a consistent and protected stream of financial support through monthly stabilization benefits totaling $1,500, divided between a $1,000 disbursement and a $500 long-term trust deposit; [Commentary: Codifies the monthly dual-benefit approach—direct use and future stability.]
(2) Reduce bureaucratic complexity and financial exploitation within existing family assistance programs by creating an auditable, contribution-based infrastructure accessible to both federal and local actors; [Commentary: TEA replaces legacy systems with the UCI, lowering administrative overhead and increasing access.]
(3) Replace enforcement-driven child support collection systems with a participation-based benefit framework that incentivizes compliance through transparency and simplicity, rather than legal threat or punitive action; [Commentary: This clause contrasts TEA’s collaborative design with the adversarial model of family courts.]
(4) Ensure that families—especially those in transitional, low-income, or mixed-status households—are empowered through verified eligibility, inclusive guardianship definitions, and non-discriminatory benefit access; [Commentary: Designed to prevent exclusion of marginalized families due to rigid or outdated criteria.]
(5) Establish digital systems and local oversight boards that guarantee real-time accountability, prevent fraud, and ensure that no less than 85 percent of all distributed funds directly benefit eligible children; [Commentary: Codifies the Act’s efficiency mandate and local co-governance.]
(6) Promote civic engagement, localized innovation, and public co-stewardship of benefit systems by enabling legal residents, parent representatives, and youth voices to participate in oversight mechanisms; [Commentary: Reflects FFPA’s principle that civic power should be inclusive and community-rooted.]
(7) Mandate periodic evaluation of fiscal efficiency, community impact, and child well-being outcomes to ensure that the TEA Act continuously adapts to evolving needs and maintains public trust; [Commentary: Anchors long-term adaptability and evidence-based governance.]
(8) Build a legislative model that can be replicated, scaled, or localized by states, territories, or tribal governments, fostering equity in care and opportunity regardless of geography; [Commentary: Establishes TEA as a replicable model, not a one-off program.]
(9) Reduce the long-term social and economic costs associated with fragmented family court systems, intergenerational poverty, and lack of early stabilization; [Commentary: Draws a direct link between TEA’s upfront investment and downstream cost savings.]
(10) Signal a national commitment to investing in families as systems of public infrastructure and democratic value—not merely private responsibility. [Commentary: Frames the family as a civic unit, deserving of public investment like schools or roads.]
(11) Secure long-term sustainability through fair revenue generation and reinvestment, as codified in Title XI. [Commentary: Reflects the revenue framework codified in Title XI.]
(a) ELIGIBLE CHILDREN.—A child shall be eligible to receive benefits under this Act if the child—
(1) Is a birthright citizen of the United States; [Commentary: This clause ensures the program's foundation aligns with existing constitutional protections and avoids federal conflict over mixed-status eligibility.]
(2) Has at least one legal guardian who—
(A) Resides lawfully within the United States;
(B) Has an active verified income stream, including but not limited to employment income, public program reporting, or documented caregiving income; and
(C) Has made or is making contributions into the Unified Contribution Infrastructure (UCI).
[Commentary: Eligibility rests on contribution and presence, not status. This rewards participation over punishment.]
(b) MIXED-STATUS HOUSEHOLDS.—Children in households where one or more adults are undocumented but the child meets subsection (a) shall remain eligible for full benefits under this Act. [Commentary: This ensures children are not penalized for the legal status of their caregivers and reinforces child-first prioritization.]
(c) MULTI-GUARDIAN HOUSEHOLDS.—In cases of joint or multi-party guardianship, only one guardian must meet the eligibility criteria provided in subsection (a)(2). [Commentary: Prevents bureaucratic exclusion in nontraditional families.]
(a) EXCLUDED HOUSEHOLDS.—No benefit shall be issued under this Act to a child who is—
(1) Not a U.S. birthright citizen, as defined under Section 102(1); or
(2) Living in a household where all guardians are unverified and unable to demonstrate lawful presence or contributory activity through the UCI or its state equivalents.
[Commentary: These exclusions are narrow to preserve federal legality but structured to encourage participation over disqualification.]
(b) EXEMPTIONS.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services may, through rulemaking, authorize temporary benefit access for otherwise excluded children if such access is deemed in the public interest or for transitional humanitarian protection. [Commentary: Provides the flexibility to respond to exceptional circumstances, such as displacement, trafficking, or parental incarceration.]
(a) APPLICATION PROCESS.—Each eligible child shall be enrolled in the TEA benefit system through a verified application process administered by a designated state or local authority, in coordination with the TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO).
(b) AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY INTEGRATION.—The Secretary shall integrate existing data from:
(1) Medicaid;
(2) SNAP;
(3) Public school enrollment;
(4) IRS dependent claims; and
(5) Foster care and child welfare systems
to proactively identify children who may qualify for benefits and to streamline application and approval.
[Commentary: Prioritizes automation and interoperability to reduce burden on families and state systems.]
(c) SELF-CERTIFICATION PROVISION.—Applicants shall be permitted to submit a sworn affidavit of household income, residency, or guardianship status if digital or institutional records are not available. [Commentary: Prevents digital redlining and promotes equity for marginalized families.]
(a) The TEA Act shall be funded through a combination of reallocated federal balances, new civic revenue provisions, and structured contribution equity as outlined in Title XI – Revenue Equity & Fiscal Integrity.
(b) FUNDING SOURCES.—The following revenue streams may be used, either independently or in combination, to fund TEA Act programs:
(1) Reallocated funds from expired or underutilized federal programs, including TANF, WIC, and FYI;
(2) Revenue sources and fiscal balancing strategies codified under Title XI shall be considered core to the operational sustainability of this Act;
(3) Residual balances from COVID-19 relief appropriations not assigned to specific projects;
(4) IRS overcollection reserves, not to exceed 0.05% annually;
(5) Federal surplus or unobligated balances reauthorized by Congress;
(6) Voluntary state contributions under Section 404.
[Commentary: The funding strategy reuses public money already allocated or unspent—avoiding tax increases while promoting fiscal recycling and fiscal equity.]
(a) BASELINE ALLOCATION.—Funds made available under this Act shall be allocated as follows:
(1) 65% toward direct stabilization benefits deposited into individual child accounts and benefit trusts;
(2) 25% toward administrative infrastructure, including UCI management, local implementation costs, and TAO operations;
(3) 10% toward oversight, auditing, fraud prevention, and annual public reporting.
[Commentary: This formula ensures the vast majority of TEA funds go directly to children while preserving accountability.]
(b) MINIMUM DIRECT DISBURSEMENT THRESHOLD.—No less than 85 percent of total program funding per fiscal year must be spent on benefits or wraparound services directly received by children. [Commentary: Protects against bureaucratic bloat and keeps the law rooted in real-world support.]
(c) CARRYOVER OF UNUSED FUNDS.—Unexpended funds at the end of a fiscal year shall be carried over to the next fiscal year for reallocation under subsection (a). [Commentary: Eliminates waste by rolling forward unused but allocated support.]
(a) The Unified Contribution Infrastructure (UCI) shall serve as the primary fiscal clearinghouse for:
(1) Receiving, logging, and tracking all contributions from state and federal entities;
(2) Calculating monthly benefit distributions based on household data;
(3) Triggering fraud alerts and audit protocols when irregularities are detected.
[Commentary: The UCI isn't just a ledger—it’s a living mechanism for equitable, error-resistant distribution.]
(b) Monthly disbursements shall occur automatically unless a hold is placed under the authority of the TAO for cause related to fraud or eligibility violation.
(a) VOLUNTARY MATCHING.—States may elect to contribute matching funds in order to supplement or increase the monthly stabilization benefit amounts provided to eligible children residing in their jurisdiction.
(b) INCENTIVE PROVISION.—States that contribute at least 25 percent of the per-child federal benefit level shall be eligible for infrastructure grants to support:
(1) Oversight technology;
(2) Local board training;
(3) Transitional support services.
[Commentary: Creates incentives for states to go above the federal floor and invest in strong local administration.]
(c) NONPARTICIPATION.—States that choose not to participate shall not receive administrative support but may reapply for access to matching and grant funds on an annual basis. [Commentary: Respects federalism but keeps the door open for future alignment.]
(a) INITIAL ROLLOUT.—The TEA Act shall be implemented in a phased approach, beginning no later than 12 months after the date of enactment. [Commentary: Allows a realistic window to build infrastructure while creating a hard start line.]
(b) PILOT STATES.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall select no fewer than three (3) and no more than five (5) states, territories, or tribal jurisdictions to participate in the first phase of implementation. [Commentary: Controlled pilot scale enables live testing and community feedback.]
(c) NATIONAL EXPANSION.—Full nationwide program availability shall be achieved within 48 months of enactment. [Commentary: Provides a time-bound commitment to universal rollout.]
(a) PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS.—To receive implementation funding under this Act, a state, territory, or tribal government must—
(1) Establish a Local Oversight Board as defined in Title I;
(2) Demonstrate technical capacity to integrate with the Unified Contribution Infrastructure (UCI);
(3) Submit an implementation plan to the TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO) within 120 days of designation as a pilot jurisdiction.
[Commentary: Ensures localities don’t just accept funds, but build governance and tech readiness.]
(b) UCI ADOPTION.—States may elect to use the federal UCI portal or integrate their own compatible system subject to federal approval and auditing standards.
(c) TAO ASSISTANCE.—The TAO shall provide onboarding support and grant technical assistance to local jurisdictions preparing to deploy benefit access systems.
(a) The Secretary shall—
(1) Issue implementing regulations no later than 180 days after enactment;
(2) Coordinate all funding disbursements through the UCI;
(3) Report quarterly to Congress on rollout status, funding disbursed, and child enrollment totals;
(4) Publish a live dashboard tracking progress in each jurisdiction.
[Commentary: This keeps implementation transparent and on record at all times.]
(b) DATA PRIVACY STANDARDS.—All systems developed or deployed under this Act shall comply with federal data protection regulations, including but not limited to the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). [Commentary: Explicit data protections maintain public trust, especially with vulnerable families.]
(c) EQUITY REVIEW.—The TAO shall conduct a pre-launch equity audit for each pilot site to ensure no demographic, linguistic, or disability-based disparities in access. [Commentary: Prevents digital redlining or exclusion by design.]
(a) BENEFIT AUTHORIZED.—Each eligible child shall receive a monthly stabilization benefit totaling $1,500, disbursed in two parts. A sum of $1,000 shall be deposited into a named public-use account under the child’s Social Security ID, accessible for approved direct-use expenses. An additional $500 shall be deposited into a federally managed long-term benefit trust under Section 102(4), restricted until the child turns 18. [Commentary: Ensures a child-centered system with both immediate stability and protected generational wealth building.]
(b) DISBURSEMENT.—The stabilization benefit shall be disbursed as follows:
(1) $1,000 to the child’s disbursement account for approved vendor use;
(2) $500 to a long-term restricted trust for future savings and asset-building;
(3) All amounts reviewed quarterly and adjusted based on inflation, cost-of-living index, and UCI performance.
[Commentary: Reflects both indexed flexibility and fiscal oversight safeguards.]
(c) COVERED USES.—Disbursement funds may be accessed through authorized digital systems or vendor platforms for:
(1) Food and nutrition;
(2) Educational materials, tuition, or tutoring;
(3) Transportation to school or care services;
(4) Medical and dental care not covered by Medicaid or CHIP;
(5) Rent, utilities, and housing stabilization programs.
[Commentary: Ensures flexibility while reinforcing youth-focused financial empowerment.]
(a) ELIGIBLE SERVICES.—The following wraparound services may be made available to qualifying family units, particularly during transitional life stages, with funding support from allocations outlined in Title XI – Revenue Equity & Fiscal Integrity:
(1) Transportation stipends to school, work, or medical services;
(2) Mental health and trauma-informed care access;
(3) Childcare and early learning support;
(4) Reproductive and maternal health wellness grants;
(5) Dedicated case management for aging-out youth ages 17–21.
[Commentary: Expands coverage to maternal wellness grants as part of the TEA Act’s broader stabilization strategy.]
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—These services shall be delivered by local agencies, nonprofit providers, or community-based organizations approved by the Local Oversight Board and monitored under TAO guidance.
(a) ANNUAL MATCH.—Eligible children who remain continuously enrolled in the program for twelve (12) consecutive months shall receive an annual federal matching deposit equal to up to 50% of their cumulative annual stabilization benefit, based on the combined $1,500/month structure. [Commentary: Rewards participation and savings with compounding investment growth over time, funded in part through surplus protocols in Title XI.]
(b) RESTRICTED USE.—Matching funds shall be locked until the child reaches age 18 and may only be used for:
(1) Postsecondary education or job training;
(2) First-time housing deposits;
(3) Health care, disability transition, or emergency resilience support.
[Commentary: This “baby bonds” model ensures asset security while enabling transition into adulthood.]
(a) NON-DUPLICATION.—Nothing in this Title shall be construed to duplicate or replace existing entitlements, including Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, or foster care assistance. The TEA Act shall function as a supplemental stabilization system. [Commentary: Ensures that the $1,500/month benefit model is layered on top of—not in place of—traditional public supports.]
(b) SUPPLEMENTAL STATUS.—TEA benefits, including the $1,000 disbursement and $500 trust allocation per child, shall not be considered income or assets when determining eligibility for other federal or state safety net programs unless otherwise authorized by Congress. [Commentary: Shields families from benefit cliffs and protects program synergy.]
(c) CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION.—The TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO) shall coordinate with federal and state agencies to develop interoperability protocols for benefits management, referrals, and integrated digital case files under the Unified Contribution Infrastructure (UCI). [Commentary: Promotes a connected, family-centered benefits system.]
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established within the Department of Health and Human Services the TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO), responsible for national administration, performance tracking, and compliance enforcement under this Act. [Commentary: Creates a centralized hub to oversee benefit flow, auditing, and long-term trust management.]
(b) CORE DUTIES.—The TAO shall:
(1) Publish quarterly implementation and equity dashboards;
(2) Conduct cross-agency fraud detection audits in coordination with the UCI;
(3) Operate a public-facing portal for complaints and appeals;
(4) Report annually to Congress on disbursement metrics, trust growth, and fiscal integrity benchmarks established in Title XI.
[Commentary: Integrates TAO oversight directly with Title VI distributions and Title XI revenue performance.]
(a) FORMATION.—Each participating jurisdiction shall establish a Local Oversight Board (LOB) comprised of:
(1) At least two (2) legal guardians or caregivers;
(2) One (1) youth voice, age 16–24, with lived system experience;
(3) One (1) financial or data accountability expert; and
(4) One (1) community member unaffiliated with benefit receipt.
[Commentary: Balances technical expertise and lived experience with non-recipient community insight.]
(b) DUTIES.—LOBS shall:
(1) Review local disbursement reports and audit flags;
(2) Host at least two public forums annually;
(3) Approve local vendor applications for TEA-linked benefits;
(4) Refer irregularities or systemic issues to the TAO within 10 business days.
[Commentary: Puts decision-making power closer to families and front-line workers.]
(a) AUDIT PROTOCOLS.—The TAO shall coordinate with the UCI to ensure:
(1) Monthly randomized audits of benefit disbursements and trust allocations;
(2) Annual public audit reports published by region;
(3) AI-driven fraud pattern flagging tied to eligibility and fiscal anomalies.
[Commentary: Reinforces the Act's backbone of real-time accountability.]
(b) Jurisdictions that repeatedly fail audit readiness or withhold data may face administrative suspension under Title VIII.
(a) Protections under federal law shall apply to any individual reporting fraud, mismanagement, or structural exclusion in the administration of this Act.
(b) The TAO shall operate an anonymous national ombudsman system to receive reports from families, vendors, or public employees. [Commentary: Prioritizes transparency while shielding whistleblowers from retaliation.]
(a) Any individual who reports suspected misuse of TEA funds or administrative fraud shall be protected under applicable federal whistleblower statutes, including protections from retaliation and confidentiality guarantees.
(b) The TAO shall maintain an independent ombudsman to field reports outside the jurisdiction of LOBs or state agencies. [Commentary: Adds a layer of protection for people who speak up against abuse or corruption.]
(a) The TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO) may suspend administrative disbursements or infrastructure grants to any state, territory, or tribal jurisdiction that:
(1) Fails to maintain a Local Oversight Board in compliance with Title VII;
(2) Refuses to implement or report through the Unified Contribution Infrastructure (UCI);
(3) Misappropriates more than 2% of received funds, as identified through annual audits.
[Commentary: Links disbursement integrity with fiscal thresholds in Title XI to ensure trust and solvency.]
(b) Affected jurisdictions must receive written notice and be granted a 30-day remediation window before full suspension.
(c) Reinstatement shall require passage of an approved corrective plan and successful completion of an independent audit.
(a) Applicants found to have willfully submitted fraudulent documents shall face:
(1) A formal warning and temporary disqualification for six (6) months;
(2) Reassessment of household eligibility and program access.
(b) A second offense shall result in:
(1) One-year disqualification;
(2) Required audit of all connected family accounts;
(3) Referral to appropriate federal or state authorities if fraud exceeds $5,000.
[Commentary: Escalates penalties while allowing for restorative paths where appropriate.]
(c) Individuals may appeal disqualifications via the TAO administrative hearing system within 30 days of notice.
(a) Any subcontractor, provider, or state-designated agency found to:
(1) Submit falsified expenditure reports,
(2) Circumvent local oversight review, or
(3) Engage in unauthorized fund distribution
shall be fined up to $50,000 per violation and may be disqualified from future TEA contracts.
[Commentary: Holds institutions and intermediaries accountable, not just families.]
(b) Reinstatement shall only occur following independent audit certification and repayment of all misused funds.
(a) The TAO, in coordination with UCI administrators and state-level auditors, shall maintain a three-tier fraud detection framework including:
(1) Algorithmic flagging of irregular disbursement or trust accumulation patterns;
(2) Randomized manual audits on a monthly basis;
(3) Community reporting hotlines linked to whistleblower protections under Title VII.
(b) Any coordinated fraud exceeding $100,000 shall be referred to the Department of Justice for federal prosecution under Title XI enforcement clauses. [Commentary: Fraud prosecution integrates federal-level safeguards with civic protections.]
(a) REQUIREMENT.—The TEA Act Oversight Office (TAO) shall submit to Congress, and publish publicly online, an Annual Impact Report no later than 18 months after enactment and annually thereafter. [Commentary: Shifts reporting from bureaucracy to proactive public transparency.]
(b) REPORT CONTENTS.—Each Annual Impact Report shall include:
(1) Number of children enrolled, disaggregated by geography, demographics, and household type;
(2) Total stabilization benefit funds disbursed and trust balances accrued;
(3) Administrative costs as percentage of total funds allocated;
(4) Audit findings and fraud alerts reported through the UCI;
(5) Testimonies and data gathered from Local Oversight Boards;
(6) Indicators of impact on housing stability, education access, food security, and child wellness;
(7) Annual summary of total revenue collected, surplus generated, and application of surplus under Section 1105 of Title XI.
[Commentary: Moves beyond spreadsheets into real-world outcomes and includes fiscal impact visibility.]
(a) EVALUATION MANDATE.—Not later than five (5) years after the date of enactment, the TAO shall commission an independent third-party evaluation to assess:
(1) Fiscal efficiency and fraud mitigation;
(2) Long-term health and education outcomes for participating children;
(3) Comparative reduction in administrative and legal costs versus traditional child support models;
(4) Program scalability across underserved or rural jurisdictions;
(5) Performance assessment of revenue provisions in Title XI and their impact on sustainability, equity, and federal deficit reduction.
[Commentary: Formalizes a systemic review for both growth and accountability.]
(b) DELIVERY AND DISCLOSURE.—The final report shall be delivered to relevant House and Senate committees, published online, and translated into the five most common non-English languages spoken by participants. [Commentary: Accessible government data is a civic right.]
(a) DASHBOARD REQUIREMENT.—The TAO shall develop and maintain a publicly accessible online dashboard that includes:
(1) Disbursement totals by region and use category;
(2) Local Oversight Board meeting logs and compliance status;
(3) Program integrity alerts and resolved fraud investigations;
(4) Summary metrics from Annual Impact Reports;
(5) Surplus reinvestment metrics, contribution tier distributions, and civic equity compliance summaries.
[Commentary: Visualization of outcomes builds public trust and civic engagement while surfacing Title XI results.]
(b) ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.—The dashboard must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and provide multilingual navigation in at least the five most common participant languages. [Commentary: Accessible design reinforces equity from access to insight.]
(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall have the authority to issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, including those described in Title XI. [Commentary: Ensures timely administrative flexibility and technical responsiveness, including revenue-related protocols.]
(b) All rules shall be subject to public notice, comment, and final publication in the Federal Register. [Commentary: Retains transparency and civic accountability in final implementation.]
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected. [Commentary: Maintains structural integrity even if one section faces legal challenge.]
(a) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede or interfere with:
(1) The Social Security Act;
(2) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
(3) The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA);
(4) Any civil rights protections guaranteed under federal or state law.
[Commentary: Aligns TEA with essential existing law while preserving its unique function.]
(b) In case of conflict between this Act and another federal statute, the provision that provides the greatest benefit to the child shall take precedence. [Commentary: Codifies a child-first rule of interpretation.]
(a) This Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of its enactment, except where otherwise specified. [Commentary: Balances urgency with realistic program setup timelines.]
(b) The Secretary may delay specific provisions up to 180 days if additional time is required for systems or fiscal readiness, including any protocol detailed in Title XI. [Commentary: Builds in flexibility for fiscal coordination without undermining the start date.]
Expands UBIT to tax mega-churches on non-worship revenue (real estate, merch, venues). [Estimated yield: $13.5B/year]
(a) Amends current federal tax code to expand the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) to apply to non-worship revenue of religious institutions exceeding $25M annually, including but not limited to real estate, retail operations, and venue leasing.
[Commentary: Restores civic accountability where mega-churches function as commercial entities.]
(b) Estimated yield: $13.5 billion annually.
(a) A 0.5% annual levy shall be applied to private university and preparatory school endowments exceeding $1 billion.
[Commentary: Taps into institutional wealth without harming student aid or operations.]
(b) Estimated yield: $12.5 billion annually.
No individual shall be required to contribute more than 6.2% of personal income toward TEA Act contributions—mirroring the Social Security model.
[Commentary: Ensures fairness and parity with existing systems.]
(a) No individual earning below $40,000 shall be required to contribute toward TEA Act funding.
(b) For individuals earning $40,000–$60,000, a tiered contribution structure shall apply with volunteer credits available.
[Commentary: Prevents regressive impacts and rewards service.]
Surplus funds exceeding 5% of annual baseline TEA costs may be allocated to:
(1) Family trust expansions;
(2) National emergency reserves;
(3) Technology upgrades and UCI modernization.
[Commentary: Reinvests surplus into systemic resilience and family opportunity.]
$9 billion per year shall be allocated to the Department of Education to deliver TEA Smart: a youth, caregiver, and veteran financial literacy initiative integrated with benefit access.
[Commentary: Prevents dependency by building generational financial empowerment.]
Allocates $110.5 billion annually to incentivize state and institutional alignment with TEA Act principles through:
(1) Red-state implementation pilots;
(2) Veteran family bridge grants;
(3) Local organizing and endowment matches.
[Commentary: Provides buy-in support while anchoring equity.]
Between 25% and 75% of annual TEA Act surplus shall be automatically transferred to the federal Treasury for deficit reduction. Forecast models project $500B–$1.5T offset over ten years.
[Commentary: Counters opposition claims of fiscal recklessness.]
Any active duty service member, veteran, or military retiree eligible for child-based financial adjustments
under federal housing, subsistence, disability, or pension programs may elect to have those child-linked portions
redirected into the Unified Contribution Infrastructure as authorized under this Act.
In any case of such election, the child or legal guardian shall receive the full monthly TEA benefit without reduction,
and the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs shall be credited the offset amount for budgetary reallocation.
The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly publish annual reports on participation, offsets,
and benefit alignment.
[Commentary: Aligns military support with national equity infrastructure while preserving full family benefit.]
All TEA Act monthly benefit amounts shall be fixed at time of enactment and shall not be reduced under any fiscal condition,
including economic downturns, recessions, or inflationary trends.
Adjustments to benefit amounts may occur only through formal congressional reconsideration and shall not occur automatically due to
Consumer Price Index (CPI) fluctuations.
TEA Act disbursements are funded exclusively through reallocated spending and closed-loop contributions and shall not originate from
federal deficit expansion or monetary injection policies, including quantitative easing or direct Treasury borrowing.
[Commentary: Shields the TEA Act from inflationary critiques and politicized spending cuts.]
All legislative language, fiscal structures, and program designs in the TEA Act are considered intellectual property of the author, Richard Riley.
Any elected official, agency, or third party that uses, publishes, or introduces the TEA Act or its components must attribute authorship to Richard Riley
and receive written permission for any commercial or legislative use.
The Freedom & Fairness Policy Alliance (FFPA) retains legal stewardship of the framework for purposes of licensing, adaptation, or public education.
[Commentary: Protects authorship and ensures fair credit and use in public, private, and legislative applications.]