PRIA Logo™
119-s-4556119th CongressWALLET

Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would strengthen case planning and require foster youth to get timely, personalized access to their health and education records and concrete transition supports. It centers youth voice in record sharing and adds specific information and documents for teens and young adults leaving care.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More documents and help for foster youth

If enacted, this bill would require state foster care plans to list services that meet each child’s needs. Transition plans would be personalized at the child’s direction and must explain housing, health insurance, education, mentors, and job help. States would review and update health and school records at each placement and give free copies to providers and to youth age 14 or older at each placement or at least once a year. Youth age 14+ would get a free annual consumer (credit) report and help fixing errors until discharge. If eligible, youth would get a certified birth certificate, Social Security card, and a state ID or driver’s license for free, with an option to have the State keep some documents safe while in care. Youth would be told about Medicaid eligibility and enrollment help and could sign a health care power of attorney or proxy. Youth leaving care by turning 18 (or a higher State-elected age) would have to receive these documents and health/education records for free before discharge.

Delay and start date for new rules

If enacted, the bill would take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment. Payments under Part E would apply for calendar quarters starting on or after that date. If HHS finds a State needs to change non‑funding law to comply, the State would not be treated as failing to meet the new rules until the first calendar quarter after the State’s next regular legislative session. For two‑year State sessions, each year would count as a separate regular session for the delay rule.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation