124 STAT. 342 PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010 to eligible entities that are States and shall require the organization to— ‘‘(i) carry out the program based on the needs assessment conducted by the State under subsection (b); and ‘‘(ii) establish quantifiable, measurable 3- and 5- year benchmarks consistent with subsection (d)(1)(A). ‘‘(3) RESEARCH AND OTHER EVALUATION ACTIVITIES.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out a continuous program of research and evaluation activities in order to increase knowledge about the implementation and effectiveness of home visiting programs, using random assignment designs to the maximum extent feasible. The Secretary may carry out such activities directly, or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. ‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that— ‘‘(i) evaluation of a specific program or project is conducted by persons or individuals not directly involved in the operation of such program or project; and ‘‘(ii) the conduct of research and evaluation activi- ties includes consultation with independent researchers, State officials, and developers and pro- viders of home visiting programs on topics including research design and administrative data matching. ‘‘(4) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION.—Not later than December 31, 2015, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress regarding the programs conducted with grants under this section. The report required under this paragraph shall include— ‘‘(A) information regarding the extent to which eligible entities receiving grants under this section demonstrated improvements in each of the areas specified in subsection (d)(1)(A); ‘‘(B) information regarding any technical assistance provided under subsection (d)(1)(B)(iii)(I), including the type of any such assistance provided; and ‘‘(C) recommendations for such legislative or adminis- trative action as the Secretary determines appropriate. ‘‘(i) APPLICATION OF OTHER PROVISIONS OF TITLE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the other provisions of this title shall not apply to a grant made under this section. ‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The following provisions of this title shall apply to a grant made under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to allotments made under section 502(c): ‘‘(A) Section 504(b)(6) (relating to prohibition on pay- ments to excluded individuals and entities). ‘‘(B) Section 504(c) (relating to the use of funds for the purchase of technical assistance). ‘‘(C) Section 504(d) (relating to a limitation on adminis- trative expenditures). ‘‘(D) Section 506 (relating to reports and audits), but only to the extent determined by the Secretary to be appro- priate for grants made under this section.
