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119-hr-8498119th CongressWALLET

Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act

Sponsored By: Representative Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would incentivize states to extend foster care supports through age 21 and let young adults voluntarily re-enter care after turning 18. It would also broaden who counts as an eligible youth and require federal guidance and workforce connections to improve transitions to adulthood.

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  • Transition-aged youth: Expands eligibility so more young people in foster care, and certain adopted or kinship guardianship cases, can receive extended services up to age 21. States could allow eligible 18-year-olds to voluntarily re-enter care.
  • Outcomes and evidence: The bill cites research linking extended care to better education, higher college enrollment, improved employment and financial resources, stronger social supports, and lower risks of homelessness, food insecurity, pregnancy, and arrest.
  • State support and implementation: It would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to give guidance and technical assistance, allow phased start dates tied to fiscal years, and require guidance within 90 days to connect eligible youth to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I programs.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More foster care help through 21

If enacted, states would be able to let certain youth stay in foster care until the state’s chosen upper age (19, 20, 21, or 22). This could include youth with adoption assistance or kinship guardianship agreements that began when they were at least 16, and, at the state’s and youth’s choice, youth already in state foster care. If a state uses the older-youth option, it would have to allow and help 18‑year-olds and other youth who meet the section 475(8)(C) requirements to voluntarily re-enter foster care. These changes would begin on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment and apply to Part E payments for calendar quarters starting on or after that date.

State delay for foster care rules

If enacted, the foster care changes would take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment. The HHS Secretary could delay a State's deadline if HHS finds the State needs to pass new laws (other than funding) to meet the new rules. If delayed, the State would not be treated as out of compliance until after the first calendar quarter that begins after the State legislature’s next regular session. For two‑year legislative sessions, each year counts as a separate regular session.

Guidance to link youth to jobs

If enacted, the Department of Health and Human Services would give guidance to states and local agencies on connecting foster youth made eligible under these changes to workforce programs under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. HHS must issue the WIOA Title I guidance within 90 days after enactment. HHS would also provide outreach guidance and technical help right away to reach newly eligible youth and youth who left foster care and may be eligible to re-enter.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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