MississippiHB 17582026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act; enact.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Foster care agency must secure benefits

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) checks within 60 days after a child enters care whether the child gets or qualifies for Social Security or VA benefits. If eligible, CPS applies for those benefits. CPS reviews each case every year to see if the child became newly eligible. CPS sends written notices about any application, decision, appeal, or ruling to the child, the parents or guardian (unless rights ended), the placement, and the child’s lawyer. If benefits are denied, CPS consults with the child’s lawyer and appeals when that is in the child’s best interests.

Protect foster youths' federal benefits

Beginning July 1, 2026, CPS works with the child and the child’s lawyer to choose a suitable representative payee, and only serves as payee if no one else is suitable. If CPS is the payee, it cannot use the child’s benefits, savings, or assets to pay for care or to reimburse the State. CPS may spend benefits only on the child’s unmet needs beyond what the agency must cover. CPS must place conserved funds in accounts that protect eligibility, such as a special needs trust, a pooled special needs trust, an ABLE account, or a similar account. CPS must give an annual accounting to the child, the child’s lawyer, and the parents if parental rights are still in place. CPS also reviews whether another qualified person can serve as payee and helps transfer the role.

Savings and milestone payments for foster youth

Beginning July 1, 2026, CPS creates a Success Sequence Savings and Disbursement Plan for each child with conserved benefits. Youth can get parts of their savings after milestones like getting a driver’s license or state ID, finishing high school or an equivalent, enrolling in college, training, or an apprenticeship, keeping a verified job for six months, or completing a CPS‑approved financial class. CPS sets reasonable payment amounts and thresholds and provides financial literacy classes and counseling. When CPS custody ends, any remaining conserved funds go to the youth if 18 or emancipated, or to the person responsible for the minor. CPS may make rules consistent with federal law to run the accounts, payments, reporting, education, and oversight.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lee Yancey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Otis Anthony
Democratic • House
Celeste Hurst
Republican • House
Omeria Scott
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 290 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2026

Passed

Yes: 119 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor
3/13/2026legislature
Enrolled Bill Signed
3/9/2026Senate
Enrolled Bill Signed
3/6/2026House
Concurred in Amend From Senate
3/4/2026House
Returned For Concurrence
3/2/2026Senate
Immediate Release
3/2/2026Senate
Passed As Amended
3/2/2026Senate
Amended
3/2/2026Senate
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
2/27/2026Senate
Referred To Medicaid
2/20/2026Senate
Transmitted To Senate
2/12/2026House
Passed
2/11/2026House
Title Suff Do Pass
2/2/2026House
Referred To Youth and Family Affairs
1/19/2026House

Bill Text

As Introduced
HTML PDF
As Passed
HTML PDF
Committee Amendment No 1 (Adopted)
HTML PDF
Enrolled
HTML PDF

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