What does Preamble of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This bill aims to incentivize states to extend child welfare support and services for youth up to age 21. The bill would allow youth to re-enter foster care after reaching 18 years of age. Eligibility for these supports and re-entry into foster care would not be affected by the AFDC eligibility of their parents or legal guardians.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section outlines findings regarding the positive impacts of extended foster care. Each additional year in extended foster care is associated with an approximately 8 percent increase in the probability of youth completing a high school credential. Extended foster care is linked to increased college enrollment probabilities, ranging from 5 to 12 percent. Youth in extended foster care experience an average increase of approximately $650 in their bank accounts. The findings suggest extended foster care decreases the odds of youth experiencing food insecurity by approximately 21 percent. Extended foster care is associated with reduced homelessness or couch-surfing among youth aged 21-23 by approximately 19 percent. The findings indicate a decrease in the likelihood of youth pregnancy at ages 19 and 21 with extended foster care.

What does EXTENDED CHILD WELFARE SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section amends Section 475(8) of the Social Security Act. The amendment expands the definition of 'youth' to include individuals in foster care at the option of the state and youth involved. It also includes youth with adoption or kinship guardianship assistance agreements who are at least 16 years old. States can elect to extend services to youth up to age 22. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will provide guidance and technical assistance to states regarding outreach to newly eligible youth.

What does PROMOTING THE RE-ENTRY OF YOUTH INTO EXTENDED FOSTER CARE. of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section amends Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act. The amendment adds a new paragraph (38) to specify conditions related to foster care re-entry. States exercising the option provided in section 475(8) must permit and facilitate voluntary re-entry into foster care for eligible youth who have attained 18 years of age. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to provide guidance and technical assistance to states regarding outreach to eligible youth.

What does PROVIDING FOR STATES TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR TRANSITION-AGED of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section amends Section 472(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act. The amendment inserts an exception for youth who have attained 18 years of age and meet the requirements of section 475(8)(C).

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section establishes the effective date for amendments made by this Act. The amendments will take effect on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year beginning after the Act's enactment. These amendments apply to payments under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after the effective date. If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines state legislation is needed to meet new requirements, a state plan will not be considered deficient before the 1st calendar quarter following the first regular session of the state legislature after enactment. For states with 2-year legislative sessions, each year is considered a separate regular session.

What does WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. of Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act do?

This section focuses on workforce development for youth eligible for foster care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, must develop guidance. The guidance is directed to State and local agencies operating programs under a State plan approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act. The guidance will explain how case workers can connect eligible youth to workforce development programs under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This guidance is related to amendments made by sections 3 or 4 of this Act.

Back to bills

Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act

Last updated: 4/27/2026 · Introduced: 4/27/2026

Author: Judy Chu (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill allows states to extend foster care support and services to youth up to age 22, including those with adoption or kinship guardianship assistance agreements who are at least 16 years old.
It enables eligible youth who have turned 18 to voluntarily re-enter foster care, regardless of parental or guardian eligibility for assistance programs.
The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance and technical assistance to states and local agencies on connecting eligible youth with workforce development programs.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

8 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account