,i  #aafth ,,congress  #b;d ,session    
,h4 ,r4 #geia  ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of  
,,representatives  ,july #ac1 #bjbj,mr4 
,lewis introduced the following bill2   
which was referred to the ,committee on 
,ways and ,means1 and in addition to the
 ,committees on ,education and ,labor1  
the ,judiciary1 and ,energy and         
,commerce1 for a period to be           
subsequently determined by the ,speaker1
 in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the           
jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
,a ,,bill  ,to support the health and   
well-being of current and former foster 
care youth transitioning into adulthood4
  #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be    
cited as the ,fostering ,healthy        
,transitions into ,adulthood ,act of    
#bjbj4  #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of    
this ,act is to foster healthy adult    
outcomes for current and former foster  
care youth aging out of the foster care 
system and transitioning into adulthood4
 ,this ,act also strengthens the direct 

responsibility of the ,federal          
,government for foster care youth       
transitioning out of care4  #c4         
,findings ,congress finds the following3
 7#a7 ,nearly #be1jjj foster youth      
become too old to receive foster care   
assistance and benefits--or age         
out--every year4  7#b7 ,youth aging out 
of foster care and transitioning to     
independent living require considerable 
support from local1 ,state1 and ,federal
 ,government to ensure a smooth         
transition into healthy1 independent    
adulthood4  7#c7 ,foster youth are more 
likely to have been exposed to childhood
 and adolescent trauma1 subjected to    
multiple chronic health challenges1 and 
diagnosed with poorer mental and        
physical health outcomes than their     
peers4 ,additionally1 foster youth are  
more vulnerable to suffer from          
persistent anxiety1 depression1         
posttraumatic stress disorder1 and other
 severe challenges to their health4     
7#d7 ,as a result1 youth aging out of   

foster care experience tremendous       
difficulty in completing education1     
obtaining gainful employment1 accessing 
and receiving basic health care1        
maintaining stable housing1 and avoiding
 the criminal justice system4  7#e7     
,studies indicate that more than #hj    
percent of foster youth transitioning   
into adulthood are unable to support    
themselves financially4  7#f7 ,only #d  
percent of youth aging out of foster    
care earn a college degree by age #bf1  
as compared to #cf percent of           
individuals who never experience foster 
care4  7#g7 ,on average1 youth aging out
 of foster care earn approximately half 
the income of their similarly educated  
peers and are employed at significantly 
lower rates4  7#h7 ,accordingly1        
individuals transitioning out of foster 
care are often linked with homelessness 
and housing instability4 ,one national  
study estimated that approximately #ff  
percent of former foster youth          
experience a homeless episode within #f 

months after transitioning out of care4 
7#i7 ,moreover1 youth aging out of      
foster care are less likely to seek     
health and mental care services that are
 often desperately needed4  7#aj7       
,nearly #fj percent of young men who    
have aged out of foster care and of     
emancipated young men have been         
convicted of a crime4  #d4              
,modifications to ,federal foster care  
reimbursement program  7a7 ,expansion of
 age of eligibility  7#a7 ,in general   
,section #dge7h7 of the ,social         
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge7h77  
is amended to read as follows3  7#h7    
,the term child means-- 7,a7 an         
individual who has not attained #ah     
years of age2 and  7,b7 an individual   
who has attained #ah years of age but   
has not attained #ba years of age1 but  
only in the case of an individual-- 7i7 
who is in foster care under the         
responsibility of the ,state2  7ii7 with
 respect to whom an adoption assistance 
agreement is in effect under section    

#dgc if the child had attained #af years
 of age before the agreement became     
effective2 or  7iii7 with respect to    
whom a kinship guardianship assistance  
agreement is in effect under section    
#dgc7;d7 if the child had attained #af  
years of age before the agreement became
 effective4  4  7#b7 ,conforming        
amendments ,part ,e of title ,,iv of the
 ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4  
#fgj et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 by      
amending section #dgc7;a77#d77;,a77i7 of
 such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4               
#fgc7;a77#d77;,a77i77 to read as        
follows3  7i7 who has attained #ba years
 of age2  2  7,b7 in section            
#dga7;a77#i77;,c77i77,i7 of such ,act   
7#db ,u4,s4,c4                          
#fga7;a77#i77;,c77i77,i771 by striking  
#ah years of age or such older age as   
the ,state has elected under section    
#dge7h7 of this ,act and inserting #ba  
years of age2  7,c7 in section          
#dgb7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4
 #fgb7;c77#b771 by striking #ah and     

inserting #ba2 and  7,d7 in section     
#dge7e77;,i7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4
 #fge7e77;,i771 by striking #ah years of
 age or such greater age as the ,state  
has elected under paragraph 7#h7 and    
inserting #ba years of age4  7b7        
,placement and interaction of siblings  
in foster care ,section #dga7;a77#ca7 of
 the ,social ,security ,act 7#db        
,u4,s4,c4 #fga7;a77#ca77 is amended--   
7#a7 in the matter preceding            
subparagraph 7,a71 by striking          
reasonable and inserting all available2 
and  7#b7 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 
and inserting the following3  7,b7 in   
the case of siblings removed from their 
home who are not so jointly placed-- 7i7
 to place each such sibling at a        
distance that is in close proximity to  
the placement location of1 and permits  
frequent1 in-person contact with1 all   
other siblings2 and  7ii7 to provide for
 frequent visitation or other ongoing   
interaction between the siblings1       
including by making available to each   

such sibling at all times detailed      
up-to-date contact information for each 
other sibling who is or has previously  
been in foster care in the ,state1      
unless the ,state documents that such   
placement or interaction would be       
contrary to the safety or well-being of 
any of the siblings2 and  7,c7 to       
provide adults who were formerly in     
foster care and removed from their homes
 with assistance in locating siblings   
and to facilitate contact between       
siblings if both parties consent to     
contact4  4  7c7 ,requirements for older
 foster youth ,section #dge7a77;,d7 of  
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #fge7a77;,d77 is amended to   
read as follows3  7,d7 ,for a child who 
has attained #ad years of age or over1 a
 written description1 developed in      
consultation with the child1 updated on 
an annual basis until the child attains 
#ag years of age1 and1 if necessary1    
coordinated with a transition plan under
 subparagraph 7#e77;,h71 of the programs

 and services which will help such child
 prepare for the transition from foster 
care to a successful adulthood1         
including specific options on-- 7i7     
education1 including identifying        
personalized goals for the child in     
terms of academic performance1 course   
selection1 and college admission as well
 as any counseling1 tutoring1 or other  
support needed to meet those goals2     
7ii7 extracurricular activities and     
opportunities1 including those offered  
both at the child's school and in the   
child's community2  7iii7 local         
opportunities for mentors and other     
continuing support services2  7iv7      
behavioral or mental health services1   
including trauma-informed counseling2   
and  7v7 assistance1 if requested by the
 child1 in finding a part-time job1 that
 does not require more than #aj hours of
 work per week when school is in session
 or #bj hours of work per week when     
school is not in session4  4  7d7       
,requirements for transition planning   

,section #dge7e7 of the ,social         
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge7e77  
is amended-- 7#a7 by amending           
subparagraph 7,h7 to read as follows3   
7,h7 on an annual basis during each year
 of the period beginning on the date the
 child attains #ag years of age and     
ending on the date the child is         
discharged from foster care1 a          
caseworker on the staff of the ,state   
agency1 and1 as appropriate1 other      
representatives of the child provide the
 child with assistance and support in   
developing a transition plan that-- 7i7 
is personalized at the direction of the 
child and is as detailed as the child   
may elect2  7ii7 includes specific      
options on housing1 health insurance1   
education1 local opportunities for      
mentors and continuing support services1
 and work force supports and employment 
services2  7iii7 includes information   
about joining the ,armed ,services1     
,ameri,corps1 the ,peace ,corps1 or ,job
 ,corps1 or participating in any program

 under the ,workforce ,innovation and   
,opportunity ,act or section #aj of the 
,fostering ,healthy ,transitions into   
,adulthood ,act of #bjbj2  7iv7 includes
 information about the importance of    
designating another individual to make  
financial and health care treatment     
decisions on behalf of the child if the 
child becomes unable to participate in  
such decisions and the child does not   
have1 or does not want1 a relative who  
would otherwise be authorized under     
,state law to make such decisions2 and  
7v7 provides the child with the option  
to execute a durable power of attorney  
for finances1 and a health care power of
 attorney1 health care proxy1 or other  
similar document recognized under ,state
 law2 and  2 and  7#b7 in subparagraph  
7,i71 by inserting after ,,real ,,id    
,act of #bjje1 the following3 certified 
copies of any legal documents pertaining
 to custody of the child or the child's 
status in foster care1 banking and      
financial information related to any    

accounts opened by the child or on      
behalf of the child14  7e7 ,effective   
date ,the amendments made by this       
section shall take effect on ,october   
#a1 #bjbj4  #e4 ,modifications to       
,chafee ,foster ,care ,independence     
,program  7a7 ,expansion of age of      
eligibility ,section #dgg of the ,social
 ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7 is 
amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#f71 by
 striking #af and inserting #ad2  7#b7  
by striking #ah each place it appears   
7except in subsection 7b77#c77;,c77 and 
inserting #ba2  7#c7 by striking #ba    
each place it appears 7except in        
subsection 7f77 and inserting #bf2 and  
7#d7 by striking #bc each place it      
appears and inserting #bh4  7b7         
,in-,state tuition rates for qualifying 
foster youth ,section #dgg7;b77#c7 of   
such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;b77#c77  
is amended by adding at the end the     
following3  7,l7 ,a certification by the
 chief executive officer of the ,state  
that the ,state will not charge youths  

eligible for services under the ,state  
program of any ,state under this section
 tuition for attendance at a public     
institution of higher education 7as     
defined in section #aja of the ,higher  
,education ,act of #aife7 or a          
postsecondary vocational institution 7as
 defined in section #ajb7;c7 of such    
,act7 in the ,state at a rate that is   
greater than the rate charged for       
residents of the ,state for such        
attendance4  4  7c7 ,improved services  
for transitioning youth ,section        
#dgg7;b77#c7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4
 #fgg7;b77#c771 as amended by subsection
 7b71 is further amended-- 7#a7 in      
subparagraph 7,f71 by striking          
abstinence education programs and       
inserting comprehensive sexual education
 programs2  7#b7 in subparagraph 7,k7-- 
7,a7 by inserting financial and before  
health care treatment2 and  7,b7 by     
inserting a durable power of attorney   
for finances1 and before a health care  
power of attorney2 and  7#c7 by adding  

at the end the following3  7,m7 ,a      
certification by the chief executive    
officer of the ,state that the ,state   
will-- 7i7 ensure that each youth       
participating in the program under this 
section is provided with-- 7,i7 a       
financial education that helps the youth
 understand basic financial topics1     
including budgeting1 managing bank      
accounts1 interest rates1 savings1      
credit1 retirement1 investment1         
insurance1 mortgages1 loans1 and        
identity theft and protection2  7,,ii7  
assistance with establishing a checking 
account and a savings account at no cost
 to the youth2 and  7,,iii7 information 
about participating1 and assistance with
 enrolling1 in an individual development
 account 7as defined in section #djd7e7 
of the ,assets for ,independence ,act   
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd7e772 and  7ii7      
designate at least #aj percent of the   
amount paid to the ,state from its      
allotment under subsection 7c7 for a    
fiscal year to provide for an additional

 ,state match of the youth's            
contributions to an individual          
development account 7as so defined74    
7,n7 ,a certification by the chief      
executive officer of the ,state that the
 ,state will ensure that each youth     
participating in the program under this 
section is provided with information    
about identifying and applying for      
public and private scholarships1 grants1
 and loans to continue education or     
career training1 including 7if requested
 by the youth7 individualized assistance
 with completing the ,free ,application 
for ,federal ,student ,aid4  7,o7 ,a    
certification by the chief executive    
officer of the ,state that the ,state   
will ensure that each youth             
participating in the program under this 
section is provided with information    
about the availability of various mental
 and behavioral health services in the  
youth's community and an explanation of 
how those services generally benefit    
youth who have experienced foster care4 

7,p7 ,a certification by the chief      
executive officer of the ,state that1 if
 the ,state has a voter registration    
requirement for any voter in the ,state 
with respect to an election for ,federal
 office1 the ,state will ensure that    
each youth participating in the program 
under this section who is a ,united     
,states citizen and who meets the       
qualifications to be a voter under      
,state law is1 on an annual basis and   
not later than three months before the  
earlier of the date of the general      
election or the date that is the        
deadline for registration for a general 
election1 provided with written notice  
of the youth's voter registration status
 and1 if the youth is not registered to 
vote1 provided with the opportunity to  
register to vote4  7,q7 ,a certification
 by the chief executive officer of the  
,state that the ,state will ensure that 
each youth participating in the program 
under this section who is not a citizen 
of the ,united ,states is provided with 

information about maintaining or        
acquiring legal status1 including       
information about how to begin or       
complete the process of naturalization4 
7,r7 ,a certification by the chief      
executive officer of the ,state that the
 ,state will ensure that each youth     
participating in the program under this 
section has the opportunity to          
participate1 at no expense to the youth1
 in a mentoring program or another      
program designed to build personal and  
emotional connections between adults and
 children aging out of foster care1 and 
that each youth is provided with        
information about participating in such 
a program on no less than an annual     
basis1 which shall include an           
explanation of how such programs and    
connections generally benefit youth who 
have experienced foster care4  7,s7 ,a  
certification by the chief executive    
officer of the ,state that the ,state   
will-- 7i7 inquire of each individual   
convicted of a ,state offense 7including

 juveniles71 if such individual1 at the 
time of conviction1 was in foster care1 
or was previously in foster care at any 
point2  7ii7 inquire of each individual 
convicted of a ,state offense who is or 
was in foster care the circumstances and
 duration of foster care2  7iii7 inform 
each individual convicted of a ,state   
offense who is or was in foster care of 
the right to decline to answer questions
 under clause 7ii72 and  7iv7 report to 
the ,secretary on an annual basis1 in   
such form as the ,secretary may         
require-- 7,i7 the number of individuals
 convicted of a ,state offense in the   
preceding year1 disaggregated by type of
 conviction2  7,,ii7 the number of      
individuals convicted of a ,state       
offense in the preceding year who are or
 were in foster care1 disaggregated by  
type of conviction2  7,,iii7 the number 
of individuals held in incarceration for
 a ,federal offense in the preceding    
year1 disaggregated by type of          
conviction2  7,,iv7 the number of       

individuals held in incarceration for a 
,federal offense in the preceding year  
who are or were in foster care1         
disaggregated by type of conviction2    
7,v7 the total estimated cost of        
incarceration for each person who is or 
was in foster care2 and  7,,vi7 such    
other information as the ,secretary may 
require4  4  7d7 ,increased             
authorization of appropriations ,section
 #dgg7;h7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4   
#fgg7;h77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph
 7#a71 by striking #adj1jjj1jjj1 or1    
beginning in fiscal year #bjba1         
#adc1jjj1jjj and inserting #dbi1jjj1jjj2
 and  7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by        
striking #fj1jjj1jjj and inserting      
#ahj1jjj1jjj4  7e7 ,expansion of        
educational and training vouchers       
,section #dgg7;i7 of such ,act 7#db     
,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;i77 is amended-- 7#a7 in
 paragraph 7#a71 by striking may and    
inserting shall2  7#b7 in paragraph     
7#b7-- 7,a7 by striking #af and         
inserting #ad2 and  7,b7 by striking may

 and inserting shall2  7#c7 in paragraph
 7#c7-- 7,a7 by striking may allow and  
inserting shall allow2  7,b7 by striking
 #bf and inserting #bh2 and  7,c7 by    
striking 1 but in no event may a youth  
participate in the program for more than
 #e years 7whether or not consecutive7  
and inserting 1 except that the ,state  
shall allow youths participating in the 
voucher program who attain #bh years of 
age to complete their postsecondary     
education or training program2  7#d7 by 
amending paragraph 7#d7 to read as      
follows3  7#d7 ,the voucher or vouchers 
provided for an individual under this   
section shall be available for1 and in  
an amount that shall not exceed1 the    
cost of attendance 7as defined in       
section #dgb of the ,higher ,education  
,act of #aife7 at an institution of     
higher education 7as defined in section 
#aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of  
#aife7 or a postsecondary vocational    
institution 7as defined in section      
#ajb7;c7 of such ,act74  2 and  7#e7 in 

paragraph 7#e71 by striking may and     
inserting shall4  7f7 ,effective date   
7#a7 ,in general ,the amendments made by
 this section shall take effect on ,june
 #a1 #bjba1 except that the amendments  
made by subsection 7d7 shall apply with 
respect to fiscal years beginning with  
fiscal year #bjba4  7#b7 ,authority to  
extend deadline ,if a ,state            
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the 
,secretary that it is necessary to amend
 ,state law in order to change a        
particular practice that is inconsistent
 with this ,act1 the ,secretary may     
extend the compliance date for the      
,state a reasonable number of days after
 the close of the first ,state          
legislative session beginning after the 
date of the enactment of the ,fostering 
,healthy ,transitions into ,adulthood   
,act of #bjbj4  #f4 ,foster care        
transitional assistance grants ,part ,e 
of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security  
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgj et seq47 is    
amended by inserting after section #dgg 

the following3  #dgg;,a4 ,foster care   
transitional assistance grants  7a7 ,in 
general ,in coordination with assistance
 provided under the programs under      
sections #dgg and #dgg;,b1 the          
,secretary shall-- 7#a7 administer the  
programs described in this section2 and 
7#b7 develop professional guidelines and
 national standards to be made available
 for use by foster care transitional    
services and related programs receiving 
,federal funding4  7b7 ,improved        
,federal information resources for      
current and former foster youth  7#a7   
,website for current and former foster  
youth  7,a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary
 shall develop and maintain a website   
designed to provide specific information
 about ,federal1 ,state1 and local      
resources available to current and      
former foster youth4  7,b7 ,information 
guidelines ,the website shall include   
information about the availability of1  
and the eligibility requirements for1   
all public resources available to       

current and former foster youth1        
including-- 7i7 information about       
transition planning requirements        
required by section #dge7e77;,h72  7ii7 
assistance with any program under this  
section1 section #dgg1 or section       
#dgg;,b2  7iii7 assistance with any     
program established under the ,fostering
 ,healthy ,transitions into ,adulthood  
,act of #bjbj2  7iv7 the ,free          
,application for ,federal ,student ,aid 
and other information about ,federal    
financial aid2  7v7 ,pell ,grants2  7vi7
 ,federal ,,trio programs2  7vii7       
waivers for applications to institutions
 of higher education2  7viii7 job       
training programs available to current  
or former foster youth2  7ix7 ,medicaid2
 and  7x7 programs offered by ,state and
 local governments aimed at assisting   
current or former foster youth4  7,c7   
,accessibility ,the website shall be--  
7i7 accessible with a simple website    
address that can be used in             
advertisements and easily remembered2   

7ii7 searchable from the public websites
 of the ,department of ,health and      
,human ,services1 the ,department of    
,education1 the ,department of ,housing 
and ,urban ,development1 and the        
,department of ,labor2  7iii7 compliant 
with all applicable laws and regulations
 regarding accessibility1 data          
protection1 and privacy for ,federal    
websites2 and  7iv7 able to be easily   
navigated and understood by current and 
former foster youth4  7#b7 ,hotline     
7,a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary shall 
develop and maintain a telephone hotline
 designed to provide specific           
information about ,federal1 ,state1 and 
local resources available to current and
 former foster youth4  7,b7 ,information
 guidelines ,the hotline shall-- 7i7    
accept calls from current foster youth1 
former foster youth1 and assisting      
adults2 and  7ii7 answer questions and  
provide guidance about the availability 
of1 and an individual's eligibility for1
 all public resources available to      

current and former foster youth         
described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74  7,c7 
,accessibility ,the hotline shall be--  
7i7 accessible with a toll-free number  
that can be used in advertisements and  
easily remembered2  7ii7 compliant with 
all applicable laws and regulations     
regarding accessibility1 data           
protection1 and privacy for ,federal    
telephone systems2 and  7iii7 able to be
 easily navigated and understood by     
current and former foster youth4  7#c7  
,consultation ,in developing the        
resources required by this section1 the 
,secretary shall consult with-- 7,a7 the
 ,secretary of ,education2  7,b7 the    
,secretary of ,housing and ,urban       
,development2  7,c7 the ,secretary of   
,labor2  7,d7 other ,federal agencies   
serving current or former foster youth2 
7,e7 ,state and local government child  
welfare agencies2  7,f7 ,state ,medicaid
 agencies2  7,g7 ,state and local       
government education and labor agencies2
  7,h7 advocacy groups representing     

current and former foster youth2 and    
7,i7 nonprofit organizations serving    
current or former foster youth4  7#d7   
,public awareness campaign ,after       
establishing the website and telephone  
hotline as required by this subsection1 
the ,secretary shall collaborate with   
agencies and stakeholders identified in 
paragraph 7#c7 to publicize the website 
and the hotline to current foster youth1
 former foster youth1 caseworkers1      
service providers1 mentors1 school      
counselors1 foster parents1 adoptive    
parents of former foster youth1 and     
other concerned adults4  7#e7 ,deadlines
 ,the requirements of this subsection   
shall be fully implemented not later    
than #a year after the date of enactment
 of this ,act4  7c7 ,basic housing and  
transportation allowance for            
transitional foster care individuals    
7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph  
7#e71 the ,secretary shall provide to   
eligible individuals 7as described in   
paragraph 7#c77 a basic monthly         

allowance for housing and transportation
 in the amount determined under         
paragraph 7#b71 to be paid in advance on
 the day preceding the first day of each
 month in the individual's independent  
living transition period4  7#b7 ,amounts
  7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided  
in subparagraphs 7,b71 the amount of a  
basic monthly allowance for housing and 
transportation with respect to an       
eligible individual for a month in the  
individual's independent living         
transition period shall be an amount    
equal to the applicable percentage 7as  
determined under subparagraph 7,c77 of  
the sum of the following3 7i7 ,the      
average monthly cost 7as determined by  
the ,secretary in coordination with the 
,secretary of ,housing and ,urban       
,development7 of a one-bedroom apartment
 in the geographic area in which the    
eligible individual resides during such 
month1 including the cost of-- 7,i7     
rent2  7,,ii7 utilities1 including      
electricity1 natural gas1 heating oil1  

water1 sewer1 trash1 recycling1 cable   
television1 telephones1 and internet    
access2  7,,iii7 maintenance fees or    
other fees commonly paid in connection  
with a residential property2 and  7,,iv7
 renter's insurance or a similar        
product4  7ii7 ,the average monthly cost
 7as determined by the ,secretary in    
coordination with the ,secretary of     
,transportation7 of automobile ownership
 in the geographic area in which the    
eligible individual resides during such 
month1 including the cost of-- 7,i7     
automobile operation1 maintenance1      
registration1 and insurance2  7,,ii7    
licensing and insuring a driver2        
7,,iii7 property1 ad valorem1 or other  
,state or local taxes paid in relation  
to owning or operating an automobile2   
and  7,,iv7 parking an automobile4  7,b7
 ,initial month installment payment ,in 
the case of an eligible individual who  
receives a basic monthly allowance under
 subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall
 provide the individual an initial      

installment payment for the first month 
of the individual's independent living  
transition period1 in an amount equal to
 and in addition to the basic monthly   
allowance for such month1 for the       
purpose of paying a security deposit1   
application fee1 or related expenses4   
7,c7 ,applicable percentage ,for        
purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the      
applicable percentage shall be-- 7i7    
#ajj percent for any month in the #ast  
year of the individual's independent    
living transition period2  7ii7 #ge     
percent for any month in the #bnd year  
of the individual's independent living  
transition period2  7iii7 #ej percent   
for any month in the #crd year of the   
individual's independent living         
transition period2 and  7iv7 #be percent
 for any month in the #dth year of the  
individual's independent living         
transition period4  7,d7 ,authority to  
provide additional amounts ,in addition 
to amounts otherwise provided to an     
eligible individual under this          

paragraph1 the ,secretary may use       
amounts made available to carry out this
 subsection to make a one-time payment  
to any eligible individual to purchase  
items and services and pay fees         
necessary to establish a household4 ,an 
eligible individual seeking such a      
payment shall apply in such a manner and
 at such time as the ,secretary shall   
prescribe not later than #f months after
 the date of the enactment of this ,act4
  7,e7 ,no requirement relating to      
automobile ownership ,nothing in this   
paragraph shall be construed to require 
an eligible individual who receives a   
basic monthly allowance under           
subparagraph 7,a7 to own1 operate1      
maintain1 license1 permit1 insure1 park1
 or pay taxes on an automobile1 or      
license or insure the eligible          
individual as a driver thereof1 in order
 to receive such allowance4  7,f7 ,no   
reduction based on changes in average   
housing or transportation cost ,the     
amount of a basic monthly allowance for 

housing and transportation with respect 
to an eligible individual may not be    
reduced in any month as a result of     
changes in the average monthly costs1 in
 the geographic area in which the       
eligible individual resides1 of a       
one-bedroom apartment or automobile     
ownership1 as such costs are described  
in subparagraph 7,a74  7#c7 ,eligibility
 ,an individual eligible to receive a   
basic allowance for housing and         
transportation for a month under this   
subsection is an individual-- 7,a7 who  
is a former foster care recipient who   
has attained #ba years of age2  7,b7 who
 is living independently and not        
residing-- 7i7 at a ,federal1 ,state1   
local1 or private foster home1 group    
home1 or similar transitional living    
facility2 or  7ii7 with a parent1 foster
 parent1 or legal guardian2 and  7,c7   
who is-- 7i7 completing secondary       
education or a program leading to an    
equivalent credential2  7ii7 enrolled in
 an institution that provides           

postsecondary or vocational education2  
7iii7 actively seeking employment or    
participating in a program or activity  
designed to promote1 or remove barriers 
to1 employment2  7iv7 employed for at   
least #hj hours per month2 or  7v7      
incapable of doing any of the activities
 described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv7  
due to a medical condition demonstrated 
by regularly updated information        
submitted to the ,secretary4  7#d7      
,independent living transition period   
,for purposes of this subsection1 the   
term independent living transition      
period means1 with respect to an        
eligible individual1 the #d-year period 
beginning with the month after the month
 during which the individual aged out of
 foster care or left foster care for    
independent living4  7#e7 ,authorization
 of appropriations ,to carry out this   
subsection1 there are authorized to be  
appropriated #bag1jjj1jjj for each of   
fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4  7d7  
,foster youth educational initiative    

7#a7 ,in general ,to the extent amounts 
are made available to carry out this    
subsection1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 
award grants to eligible entities to    
establish1 expand1 or support programs  
for eligible individuals as described in
 paragraph 7#b72  7,b7 ensure that any  
such programs receiving funding under   
this subsection use evidence-informed or
 evidence-based models1 practices1 and  
methods that are culturally and         
linguistically appropriate and can be   
replicated in other appropriate         
settings2 and  7,c7 provide technical   
assistance to eligible entities in      
applying for and administering a grant  
made under this subsection4  7#b7 ,use  
of funds ,an eligible entity may use    
amounts awarded under a grant under     
paragraph 7#a7 to-- 7,a7 provide        
information or services related to      
housing1 nutrition assistance1 financial
 assistance1 academic tutoring and      
guidance1 mental health support         
services1 child care1 or career         

preparatory services for eligible       
individuals2  7,b7 provide training to  
employees of eligible entities in       
promising and evidence-based practices  
and models for the education of current 
and former foster youth2 and  7,c7      
evaluate outcomes of current and former 
foster youth enrolled in institutions of
 higher education 7as defined in section
 #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of 
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja774  7#c7     
,eligible individuals and entities ,in  
this subsection3 7,a7 ,eligible         
individual ,the term eligible individual
 means an individual at least #ad years 
of age-- 7i7 who-- 7,i7 is in foster    
care2 or  7,,ii7 was formerly in foster 
care at any time after attaining #ad    
years of age2  7ii7 is enrolled at an   
institution of higher education 7as     
defined in section #aja of the ,higher  
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajja77 or a postsecondary vocational   
institution 7as defined in section      
#ajb7;c7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4    

#ajjb7;c7774  7,b7 ,eligible entity ,the
 term eligible entity means an          
institution of higher education 7as     
defined in section #aja of the ,higher  
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajja77 or a postsecondary vocational   
institution 7as defined in section      
#ajb7;c7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4    
#ajjb7;c774  7#d7 ,application ,an      
eligible entity seeking a grant under   
paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the      
,secretary an application at such time1 
in such manner1 and containing such     
information as the ,secretary may       
require4  7#e7 ,matching funds ,the     
,secretary may not award a grant under  
this subsection to an eligible entity   
unless the eligible entity agrees1 with 
respect to the costs to be incurred by  
the eligible entity in carrying out the 
activities described in paragraph 7#b71 
to make available non-,federal          
contributions 7in cash or in kind7      
toward such costs in an amount that is  
not less than #aj percent of the total  

amount of ,federal funds provided in the
 grant4  7#f7 ,coordination with        
,federal ,,trio ,programs ,an eligible  
entity awarded a grant under this       
subsection that also operates a program 
that receives assistance under chapter  
#a of subpart #b of title ,,iv of the   
,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj   
,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa et seq47 shall    
coordinate activities under each such   
program to ensure that current or former
 foster youth have maximum access and   
involvement in such activities4  7#g7   
,evaluation ,the ,secretary shall1 by   
grant1 contract1 or interagency         
agreement1 conduct rigorous and         
well-designed evaluations of the        
programs for which a grant is made under
 this section4  7#h7 ,reports  7,a7 ,to 
the ,secretary  7i7 ,in general ,an     
eligible entity awarded a grant under   
this section shall-- 7,i7 submit interim
 reports to the ,secretary on the       
activities carried out under the        
project1 including the number of        

applications received and the number of 
participants enrolled2 and  7,,ii7 on   
the conclusion of the project1 a final  
report on the activities1 including the 
number of participants who successfully 
completed the program4  7ii7 ,data on   
participant outcomes ,each such report  
shall include data on participant       
outcomes related to employment1         
educational or credential attainment1   
participant demographics1 and such other
 data as may be specified by the        
,secretary4  7,b7 ,to the congress ,not 
later than ,december #ca of each        
calendar year1 the ,secretary shall     
submit to the appropriate ,congressional
 committees a report for the preceding  
fiscal year on activities funded under  
this subsection1 including-- 7i7 the    
demographics of the participants in the 
projects for which a grant is made under
 this subsection2  7ii7 the amount of   
funds spent on complying with           
subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph
 7#b7 of this subsection1 respectively2 

7iii7 the employment and educational    
credentials acquired by project         
participants2  7iv7 the employment of   
participants on completion of activities
 under the projects1 and the earnings of
 participants at entry into employment2 
7v7 best practices and promising        
practices used by grantees2  7vi7 the   
nature of any technical assistance      
provided to grantees under this         
subsection2  7vii7 with respect to the  
period since the period covered in the  
most recent prior report submitted under
 this paragraph-- 7,i7 the number of    
applications submitted under this       
subsection and the number of            
applications that were approved2 and    
7,,ii7 the number of eligible           
individuals who applied1 enrolled1 and  
remained enrolled in programs operated  
by each eligible entity2 and  7viii7 the
 #aj individual applications not        
approved for a grant under this         
subsection that showed the greatest     
potential to meet the goals of this     

subsection1 including the estimated     
number of beneficiaries of each such    
application4  7,c7 ,appropriate         
congressional committees ,in this       
paragraph1 the term appropriate         
,congressional committees means-- 7i7   
the ,committee on ,education and ,labor 
of the ,house of ,representatives2  7ii7
 the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of  
the ,house of ,representatives2  7iii7  
the ,committee on ,appropriations of the
 ,house of ,representatives2  7iv7 the  
,committee on ,health1 ,education1      
,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2   
7v7 the ,committee on ,finance of the   
,senate2 and  7vi7 the ,committee on    
,appropriations of the ,senate4  7#i7   
,authorization of appropriations ,to    
carry out this subsection1 there are    
authorized to be appropriated           
#bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years    
#bjba through #bjbe4  7e7 ,foster youth 
education preparation assistance  7#a7  
,in general ,to the extent amounts are  
made available to carry out this        

subsection1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 
make grants to eligible entities to     
provide assistance to eligible          
individuals for costs associated with   
preparing for postsecondary education2  
and  7,b7 provide technical assistance  
to eligible entities in applying for and
 administering a grant made under this  
subsection4  7#b7 ,use of funds  7,a7   
,in general ,assistance provided to an  
eligible individual by a grantee under  
this subsection may be used for-- 7i7   
the cost of an examination required for 
admission to an institution of higher   
education 7as defined in section #aja of
 the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife   
7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 or a             
postsecondary vocational institution 7as
 defined in section #ajb7;c7 of such    
,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c7772  7ii7  
the cost of a preparatory course for an 
examination required for admission to   
such an institution2  7iii7 the cost of 
visiting such an institution prior to   
attendance1 including the associated    

costs of lodging1 transportation1 and   
food2  7iv7 the cost of a preparatory   
course for a professional licensing or  
certification examination2 or  7v7 the  
cost of any applicable application fees 
for enrollment in such an institution4  
7,b7 ,amount of assistance ,the amount  
of assistance provided to an eligible   
individual by a grantee under this      
subsection may not exceed-- 7i7 for     
fiscal year #bjba1 #a1jjj2 and  7ii7 for
 each succeeding fiscal year1 #a1jjj    
multiplied by the percentage 7if any7 by
 which the consumer price index for all 
urban consumers 7,,cpi-,u7 for the      
fiscal year preceding such fiscal year  
exceeds the ,,cpi-,u for fiscal year    
#bjbj4  7,c7 ,rule of construction      
,nothing in this paragraph permits the  
use of assistance provided to an        
eligible individual under this section  
to pay for tuition at a private         
elementary1 middle1 or secondary school4
  7#c7 ,eligible individuals and        
entities ,in this subsection3 7,a7      

,eligible individual ,the term eligible 
individual means an individual who-- 7i7
 is in foster care or was formerly in   
foster care and is participating in the 
program under section #dgg2 and  7ii7 is
 actively seeking or preparing to seek  
admission to an institution of higher   
education 7as defined in section #aja of
 the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife7  
or a postsecondary vocational           
institution 7as defined in section      
#ajb7;c7 of such ,act74  7,b7 ,eligible 
entity ,the term eligible entity means  
an entity eligible to receive grants    
under chapter #a of subpart #b of title 
,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of  
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa et     
seq474  7#d7 ,additional considerations 
,in making grants under this subsection1
 the ,secretary shall ensure that at    
least one grantee is an eligible entity 
from which assistance is available to   
all eligible individuals in the ,united 
,states4  7#e7 ,verification ,not later 
than #f months after the date of        

enactment of this section1 the          
,secretary shall provide guidance to    
eligible entities-- 7,a7 to regulate the
 process by which an eligible individual
 receives assistance or reimbursement   
from an eligible entity2 and  7,b7 to   
ensure that such process is as simple   
and coordinated for the eligible        
individual as possible4  7#f7           
,coordination with ,federal ,,trio      
programs ,an eligible entity awarded a  
grant under this subsection that also   
operates a program that receives        
assistance under chapter #a of subpart  
#b of title ,,iv of the ,higher         
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajgj;a-#aa et seq47 shall coordinate   
activities under each such program to   
ensure that current or former foster    
youth have maximum access and           
involvement in such activities4  7#g7   
,authorization of appropriations ,to    
carry out this subsection1 there are    
authorized to be appropriated           
#aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years    

#bjba through #bjbe4  #dgg;,b4 ,foster  
youth mental health initiative  7a7 ,in 
general ,to the extent amounts are made 
available to carry out this section1 the
 ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 award grants to
 eligible entities to develop1 maintain1
 or enhance foster youth mental health  
promotion1 intervention1 and treatment  
programs for eligible individuals2  7#b7
 ensure that any such programs receiving
 funding under this section use         
evidence-informed or evidence-based     
models1 practices1 and methods that are 
culturally and linguistically           
appropriate and can be replicated in    
other appropriate settings2 and  7#c7   
provide technical assistance to eligible
 entities in applying for and           
administering a grant made under this   
section4  7b7 ,use of funds ,an eligible
 entity may use amounts awarded under a 
grant under subsection 7a7 to-- 7#a7    
provide age-appropriate mental health   
promotion1 assessment1 diagnosis1 and   
treatment services1 including social and

 behavioral services1 for eligible      
individuals2  7#b7 provide training--   
7,a7 to health care professionals with  
expertise in the mental health care of  
foster youth and youth suffering        
traumatic experiences in appropriate and
 relevant integration with other        
disciplines such as primary care        
clinicians1 early intervention          
specialists1 child welfare staff1 home  
visitors1 and others who work with      
children1 adolescents1 and young adults2
 and  7,b7 to mental health clinicians  
in promising and evidence-based         
practices and models for foster youth   
mental health treatment1 including      
practices for identifying and treating  
mental illness and behavioral disorders 
of foster youth resulting from exposure 
or repeated exposure to adverse         
experiences or trauma2 and  7#c7 provide
 comprehensive services1 including      
transportation1 child care1 and         
replacement of lost wages1 to eligible  
individuals in care in order to         

facilitate activities described in      
paragraph 7#a74  7c7 ,eligible          
individuals and entities ,in this       
section3 7#a7 ,eligible individuals ,the
 term eligible individual means an      
individual at least #e years of age but 
not more than #bf years of age-- 7,a7   
who-- 7i7 is in foster care2 or  7ii7   
was formerly in foster care at any time 
after attaining #e years of age2  7,b7  
is at risk for1 shows early signs of1 or
 has been diagnosed with a mental       
illness1 including a serious emotional  
disturbance2 and  7,c7 may benefit from 
intervention1 mental health treatment   
programs1 or other services provided by 
an eligible entity4  7#b7 ,eligible     
entity ,the term eligible entity means a
 ,state agency or nonprofit entity      
that-- 7,a7 employs licensed mental     
health professionals who have           
specialized training and experience in  
childhood or adolescent mental health   
promotion1 assessment1 diagnosis1       
trauma-informed care1 and treatment     

services2  7,b7 is accredited or        
approved by the ,state to provide such  
services for individuals who are or were
 in foster care at any point between the
 ages of #e and #bf2 and  7,c7 provides 
such services using methods that are    
evidence-based or that have been        
scientifically demonstrated to show     
promise but would benefit from further  
applied development4  7d7 ,application  
,an eligible entity seeking a grant     
under subsection 7a7 shall submit to the
 ,secretary an application at such time1
 in such manner1 and containing such    
information as the ,secretary may       
require4  7e7 ,preference ,in awarding  
grants under this section1 the          
,secretary may give priority to eligible
 entities located in or serving areas   
with-- 7#a7 insufficient access to      
behavioral or mental health services    
despite demonstrated need1 especially   
among vulnerable populations2 or  7#b7  
the largest populations of individuals  
in foster care4  7f7 ,matching funds    

,the ,secretary may not award a grant   
under this subsection to an eligible    
entity unless the eligible entity       
agrees1 with respect to the costs to be 
incurred by the eligible entity in      
carrying out the activities described in
 subsection 7b71 to make available      
non-,federal contributions 7in cash or  
in kind7 toward such costs in an amount 
that is not less than #aj percent of the
 total amount of ,federal funds provided
 in the grant4  7g7 ,coordination with  
,medicaid ,an eligible entity awarded   
grant under this section shall          
coordinate activities under each such   
program with the ,state ,medicaid       
program to ensure that current or former
 foster youth have maximum access and   
involvement in such activities4  7h7    
,evaluation ,the ,secretary shall1 by   
grant1 contract1 or interagency         
agreement1 conduct rigorous and         
well-designed evaluations of the        
programs for which a grant is made under
 this section4  7i7 ,reports  7#a7 ,to  

the secretary  7,a7 ,an eligible entity 
awarded a grant under this section shall
 submit interim reports to the          
,secretary on the activities carried out
 under the project1 including the number
 of eligible individuals served1 and on 
the conclusion of the project1 shall    
submit a final report to the ,secretary 
on the activities carried out under a   
grant made under this section4  7,b7    
,each such report shall include data on 
participant outcomes related to         
earnings1 employment1 education1        
credential attainment1 participant      
demographics1 and other data specified  
by the ,secretary4  7#b7 ,to the        
congress ,not later than ,december #ca  
of each year1 the ,secretary shall      
submit to the appropriate ,congressional
 committees a report for the preceding  
fiscal year on-- 7,a7 the demographics  
of the participants in the projects for 
which a grant is made under this        
section2  7,b7 results of the           
evaluations required by subsection 7h72 

7,c7 best practices and promising       
practices used in the projects2  7,d7   
the nature of any technical assistance  
provided to grantees under this section2
 and  7,e7 the #aj individual           
applications not approved for a grant   
under this subsection that showed the   
greatest potential to meet the goals of 
this subsection1 including the estimated
 number of beneficiaries of each such   
application4  7#c7 ,publication ,upon   
submission to ,congress of a report     
under this subsection1 the ,secretary   
shall make such report available to the 
public on an internet website of the    
,department of ,health and ,human       
,services in a manner that is user      
friendly and able to be searched and    
downloaded by users of the website4  7j7
 ,authorization of appropriations ,to   
carry out this section1 there are       
authorized to be appropriated           
#bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years    
#bjba through #bjbe4  #dgg;,c4          
,emergency assistance to older foster   

youth  7a7 ,programmatic flexibility    
,during any qualifying emergency period1
 the following rules apply with respect 
to areas affected by such qualifying    
emergency period3 7#a7 ,elimination of  
age limitations on eligibility for      
assistance ,eligibility for services or 
assistance under a ,state program       
operated pursuant to sections #dgg or   
#dgg;,a shall be provided without regard
 to the age of the recipient4  7#b7     
,suspension of work and education       
requirements under the education and    
training voucher program ,sections      
#dgg7;i77#c71 #dgg;,a7c77#c77;,c71 and  
#dgg;,a7d7 shall be applied and         
administered without regard to any work 
or education requirement4  7#c7         
,authority to waive limitation on       
percentage of funds used for housing    
assistance ,the ,secretary shall apply  
and administer section #dgg without     
regard to subsection 7b77#c77;,b7 of    
such section4  7#d7 ,suspension of      
applicable percentage of independent    

living period ,the applicable percentage
 described in section                   
#dgg;,a7c77#b77;,c7 shall be #ajj       
percent4  7b7 ,state defined ,in        
subsection 7a71 the term ,state has the 
meaning given the term in section       
#aaja7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 
for purposes of title ,,iv of such ,act1
 and includes an ,indian tribe1 tribal  
organization1 or tribal consortium with 
an application and plan approved under  
section #dgg7;j7 of such ,act for fiscal
 year #bjbj4  7c7 ,qualifying emergency 
defined ,for purposes of subsection 7a71
 the term qualifying emergency period   
means the period beginning on the date  
on which an emergency is declared under 
section #cai of the ,public ,health     
,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 or 
under section #dja or section #eja of   
the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster     
,relief and ,emergency ,act 7#db        
,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 and ending on  
the date that is #ahj days after the    
date on which such emergency terminates4

  4  #g4 ,in-,state tuition rates for   
homeless youth and foster youth2        
coordination with certain higher        
education programs  7a7 ,institutional  
services for foster youth  7#a7 ,in     
general ,part ,b of title ,i of the     
,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj   
,u4,s4,c4 #ajaa et seq47 is amended by  
adding at the end the following new     
section3  #abd4 ,services for ,current  
and ,former ,foster ,youth  7a7 ,in     
general ,no institution of higher       
education shall be eligible to receive  
funds or any other form of financial    
assistance under any ,federal program1  
including participation in any federally
 funded or guaranteed student loan      
program1 unless the institution         
certifies to the ,secretary that the    
institution-- 7#a7 provides flexibility 
and assistance to help eligible youth   
complete the application and admission  
process for the institution1 including  
by waiving application fees and         
facilitating the process of enrollment  

for such youth2  7#b7 designates a      
single point of contact to-- 7,a7 meet  
with eligible youth and assist them     
identifying and utilizing available     
support services for current or former  
foster youth1 including academic        
supports1 financial assistance1 and     
professional or internship              
opportunities2 and  7,b7 coordinate     
programs with relevant on- and          
off-campus stakeholders1 including      
,state child welfare agencies and       
nonprofit organizations1 to increase the
 enrollment of eligible youth at the    
institution and align services at the   
institution for such youth2  7#c7       
adjusts the cost of attendance for      
eligible youth to include the cost of   
housing during periods of non-enrollment
 and assists such youth in identifying  
housing resources available during such 
periods2  7#d7 subsidizes any fees for  
eligible youth associated with          
orientation1 offers free transportation 
to college orientation or move-in week1 

offers free lodging if necessary for the
 purposes of traveling for orientation  
or move-in week1 and offers free        
transportation for one person to        
accompany each eligible youth on such   
travel2  7#e7 ensures the availability  
of robust health services for students1 
including physical and mental health    
services1 that meet the specific needs  
of eligible youth2  7#f7 establishes or 
expands early alert systems to identify 
and support eligible youth who may be   
struggling academically2  7#g7 provides 
eligible youth with emergency grants to 
subsidize reasonable1 unanticipated     
expenses that are not included in the   
cost of attendance for the institution  
or that may not be covered by other     
forms of student financial assistance2  
and  7#h7 collects1 reviews1 and        
monitors data for program improvement4  
7b7 ,eligible youth ,in this section1   
the term eligible youth means an        
individual who-- 7#a7 is in foster care2
 or  7#b7 is receiving services under   

section #dgg or #dgg;,a of the ,social  
,security ,act4  4  7#b7 ,applicability 
,section #abd of the ,higher ,education 
,act of #aife1 as added by paragraph    
7#a71 shall apply with respect to the   
eligibility of institutions of higher   
education to participate in ,federal    
programs for academic years beginning   
after the date of enactment of this     
,act4  7b7 ,in-,state tuition rates for 
homeless youth and foster youth ,section
 #ace of the ,higher ,education ,act of 
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;d7 is        
amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1  
by striking members of the armed forces 
on active duty1 spouses1 and dependent  
children and inserting certain          
individuals2  7#b7 in subsection 7a7--  
7,a7 by striking ,in the case and       
inserting the following3  7#a7 ,armed   
forces ,in the case  2 and  7,b7 by     
adding at the end the following3  7#b7  
,homeless youth and foster youth ,in the
 case of a homeless youth or a foster   
youth1 such ,state shall not charge such

 individual tuition for attendance at a 
public institution of higher education  
in the ,state at a rate that is greater 
than the rate charged for residents of  
the ,state4  2 and  7#c7 by striking    
subsections 7c7 and 7d7 and inserting   
the following3  7c7 ,effective date     
7#a7 ,armed forces ,with respect to an  
individual described in subsection      
7a77#a71 this section shall remain in   
effect as it was in effect on the day   
before the date of enactment of the     
,fostering ,healthy ,transitions into   
,adulthood ,act of #bjbj4  7#b7         
,homeless youth and foster youth ,with  
respect to an individual described in   
subsection 7a77#b7 or 7a77#c71 this     
section shall take effect at each public
 institution of higher education in a   
,state that receives assistance under   
this ,act for the first period of       
enrollment at such institution that     
begins during the first full award year 
following the date of enactment the     
,fostering ,healthy ,transitions into   

,adulthood ,act of #bjbj4  7d7          
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7     
,armed forces ,the terms armed forces   
and active duty for a period of more    
than #cj days have the meanings given   
those terms in section #aja of title    
#aj1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#b7       
,homeless youth ,the term homeless youth
 has the meaning given the term homeless
 children and youths in section #gbe of 
the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless         
,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4         
#aadcd;a74  7#c7 ,foster youth ,the term
 foster youth means an individual who-- 
7,a7 is in foster care2 or  7,b7 is     
receiving services under section #dgg or
 #dgg;,a of the ,social ,security ,act4 
4  7c7 ,coordination with foster care   
transitional assistance grants ,section 
#djb;,a7c77#f7 of the ,higher ,education
 ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4           
#ajgj;a-#aa7;c77#f77 is amended by      
adding at the end the following3 ,the   
,secretary shall ensure that any        
recipient of funds under a program      

authorized by this chapter that also    
receives funds under section #dgg;,a of 
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #fgg;,a7 shall coordinate     
activities carried out under this       
chapter with activities carried out     
under such section #dgg;,a to ensure    
that current or former foster youth have
 maximum access to and involvement in   
such activities44  7d7 ,information for 
foster youth on department website      
,section #dhe;,e7b7 of the ,higher      
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajib;f7b77 is amended by adding at the 
end the following3  7#e7 ,information   
for foster youth on department website  
7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall  
include on the ,department's website    
information for current and former      
foster youth regarding such youth's     
potential eligibility for ,federal      
student aid1 including the specific     
,federal programs under which such youth
 may be eligible to receive assistance4 
7,b7 ,coordination with ,secretary of   

,health and ,human ,services ,the       
posting of the information required by  
subparagraph 7,a7 on the website and via
 the hotline established by section     
#dgg;,a of the ,social ,security ,act   
shall satisfy the requirement           
established by this paragraph  4  #h4   
,expansion of work opportunity tax      
credit eligibility to current and former
 foster youth  7a7 ,in general ,section 
#ea of the ,internal ,revenue ,code 7#bf
 ,u4,s4,c4 #ea7 is amended in subsection
 7d77#a7-- 7#a7 by striking 1 or in     
subparagraph 7,i72  7#b7 by striking the
 period and inserting 1 or in           
subparagraph 7,j72 and  7#c7 by         
inserting at the end the following new  
subparagraph3  7,k7 an individual who-- 
7i7 receives or is eligible to receive  
benefits under section #dgg or section  
#dgg;,a of the ,social ,security ,act2  
7ii7 who has aged out of foster care2 or
  7iii7 has been in foster care at any  
point after age #ad4  4  7b7 ,effective 
date ,the changes made by this section  

shall take effect on ,january #a1 #bjba4
  #i4 ,foster care development tax      
credit  7a7 ,in general ,subpart ,c of  
part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a
 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of     
#aihf 7relating to refundable credits7  
is amended by adding after section      
#cf;,b the following new section3       
#cf;,c4 ,credit for ,foster ,care       
,development  7a7 ,in general ,in the   
case of an individual1 there shall be   
allowed as a credit against the tax     
imposed by this subtitle for any taxable
 year an amount equal to #ej percent of 
the contributions made by the taxpayer  
for the taxable year to an individual   
development account for a current or    
former foster youth4  7b7 ,definitions  
,for purposes of this section3 7#a7     
,current or former foster youth ,the    
term current or former foster youth     
means any individual-- 7,a7 currently in
 foster care2  7,b7 who was in foster   
care at any point after age #ad2 or     
7,c7 receiving services under section   

#dgg or section #dgg;,a of the ,social  
,security ,act4  7#b7 ,individual       
development account ,the term individual
 development account has the meaning    
given such term in section #djd7e7 of   
the ,assets for ,independence ,act 7#db 
,u4,s4,c4 #fjd7e774  4  7b7 ,clerical   
amendment ,the table of sections for    
subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a
 of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue
 ,code of #aihf is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section      
#cf;,b the following new item3 ,sec4    
#cf;,c4 ,credit for foster care         
development4  7c7 ,effective date ,the  
amendments made by this section shall   
apply with respect to taxable years     
beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjai4   
#aj4 ,workforce grants for current or   
former foster youth ,subtitle ,d of     
title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation  
and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4    
#cbba et seq47 is amended by adding at  
the end the following3  #agc4 ,workforce
 grants for current or former foster    

youth  7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary  
of ,labor shall-- 7#a7 make four-year   
grants on a competitive basis to        
eligible entities to design and         
implement programs to improve the       
self-sufficiency1 education attainment1 
and employment skills of eligible       
individuals2  7#b7 ensure that any such 
programs receiving funding under this   
subsection use evidence-informed or     
evidence-based models1 practices1 and   
methods that are culturally and         
linguistically appropriate and can be   
replicated in other appropriate         
settings2  7#c7 develop best practices  
for serving current and former foster   
youth in the workforce2  7#d7 offer     
recommendations to ,congress and ,states
 about improving workforce conditions   
for current and former foster youth2 and
  7#e7 provide technical assistance to  
eligible entities in applying for and   
administering a grant made under this   
section4  7b7 ,use of funds ,an eligible
 entity may use amounts awarded under a 

grant under subsection to provide-- 7#a7
 job training or other workforce        
development programming for eligible    
individuals2  7#b7 comprehensive        
services1 including counseling1         
transportation1 and child care1 to      
participants in order to facilitate     
successful completion of activities     
described in paragraph 7#a72  7#c7      
training to businesses and employers who
 have dedicated programs to hiring      
current or former foster youth2 and     
7#d7 training to workforce development  
professionals about best practices for  
counseling and serving current or former
 foster youth in training and           
successful1 long-term job placement4    
7c7 ,eligible entity ,in this section1  
an eligible entity is defined as-- 7#a7 
a ,state2  7#b7 a local government2     
7#c7 a labor organization2  7#d7 a      
nonprofit organization that trains      
workers or serves current or former     
foster youth2  7#e7 an institution of   
higher education 7as defined in section 

#aja or section #ajb7;a77#a77;,b7 of the
 ,higher ,education ,act of #aife72 or  
7#f7 a partnership of one or more of the
 above entities4  7d7 ,eligible         
individual ,in this section1 an eligible
 individual is defined as-- 7#a7 a youth
 older than #af years of age who is     
aging out of foster care2 or  7#b7 an   
individual older than #af years of age  
who was in foster care at any point     
after age #ad who is receiving services 
under section #dgg or section #dgg;,a of
 the ,social ,security ,act4  7e7       
,application ,an eligible entity seeking
 a grant under this section shall submit
 to the ,secretary an application at    
such time1 in such manner1 and          
containing such information as the      
,secretary may require4  7f7 ,preference
 ,in awarding grants under this section1
 the ,secretary may give priority to    
applications serving youth in areas with
 the largest foster care populations4   
7g7 ,matching funds ,the ,secretary may 
not award a grant under this section to 

an eligible entity unless the eligible  
entity agrees1 with respect to the costs
 to be incurred by the eligible entity  
in carrying out the activities described
 in subsection 7b71 to make available   
non-,federal contributions 7in cash or  
in kind7 toward such costs in an amount 
that is not less than #aj percent of the
 total amount of ,federal funds provided
 in the grant4  7h7 ,evaluation ,the    
,secretary shall1 by grant1 contract1 or
 interagency agreement1 conduct rigorous
 and well-designed evaluations of the   
programs for which a grant is made under
 this section4  7i7 ,reports  7#a7      
,eligible entity report  7,a7 ,in       
general ,an eligible entity awarded a   
grant under this section shall-- 7i7    
submit interim reports to the ,secretary
 on the activities carried out under the
 project1 including the number of       
applications received and the number of 
participants enrolled2 and  7ii7 on the 
conclusion of the project1 a final      
report on the activities1 including the 

number of participants who successfully 
completed the program4  7,b7 ,data      
requirement ,each such report shall     
include data on participant outcomes    
related to earnings1 employment1        
education1 credential attainment1       
participant demographics1 and other data
 specified by the ,secretary4  7#b7     
,congressional report ,not later than   
,december #ca of each year1 the         
,secretary shall submit to the          
appropriate ,committees of ,congress a  
report for the preceding fiscal year    
on-- 7,a7 the demographics of the       
participants in the projects for which a
 grant is made under this section2  7,b7
 the rate of which project participants 
completed all activities under the      
projects2  7,c7 the employment          
credentials acquired by project         
participants2  7,d7 the employment of   
project participants on completion of   
activities under the projects1 and the  
earnings of project participants at     
entry into employment2  7,e7 best       

practices and promising practices used  
in the projects2  7,f7 the nature of any
 technical assistance provided to       
grantees under this section2  7,g7 with 
respect to the period since the period  
covered in the most recent prior report 
submitted under this paragraph-- 7i7 the
 number of applications submitted under 
this section and the number of          
applications that were approved2 and    
7ii7 the number of eligible individuals 
who applied1 enrolled1 and remained     
enrolled in programs operated by each   
eligible entity2 and  7,h7 the #aj      
individual applications not approved for
 a grant under this section that showed 
the greatest potential to meet the goals
 of this section1 including the         
estimated number of beneficiaries of    
each such application4  7#c7            
,appropriate ,committees of ,congress   
,in this paragraph1 the term appropriate
 ,committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7  
the ,committee on ,education and ,labor 
of the ,house of ,representatives2  7,b7

 the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of  
the ,house of ,representatives2  7,c7   
the ,committee on ,appropriations of the
 ,house of ,representatives2  7,d7 the  
,committee on ,health1 ,education1      
,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2   
7,e7 the ,committee on ,finance of the  
,senate2 and  7,f7 the ,committee on    
,appropriations of the ,senate4  7j7    
,appropriations ,to carry out this      
section1 there are authorized to be     
appropriated #bj1jjj1jjj for each of the
 fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4  4   
#aa4 ,foster youth in the justice system
  7a7 ,in general ,chapter #cja of title
 #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 
by adding at the following the new      
section3  #djae4 ,foster care reporting 
7a7 ,the ,attorney ,general shall       
inquire of each individual convicted of 
a ,federal offense1 including juveniles1
 if such individual is currently or was 
at any point in foster care4  7b7 ,in   
the case of an individual convicted of a
 ,federal offense who is or was in      

foster care1 the ,attorney ,general     
shall further inquire about the         
circumstances around and duration of the
 time spent in foster care1 except than 
the ,attorney ,general shall inform each
 such individual of the right to decline
 to answer1 and an individual may       
decline to answer any such inquiry4  7c7
 ,not later than ,december #ca of each  
year1 the ,attorney ,general shall issue
 a report to the ,committee on ,ways and
 ,means of the ,house of                
,representatives1 the ,committee of     
,finance of the ,senate1 and the        
,committees on the ,judiciary of the    
,house of ,representatives and of the   
,senate that includes-- 7#a7 the number 
of individuals convicted of a ,federal  
offense during the preceding year1      
disaggregated by-- 7,a7 the             
classification of the offense under     
section #ceei7;a72  7,b7 whether the    
offense was a crime of violence 7as such
 term is defined in section #af72  7,c7 
whether the offense was a felony drug   

offense 7as such term is defined in     
section #ajb of the ,controlled         
,substances ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hjb72  
and  7,d7 whether the offense was       
committed by a juvenile2  7#b7 the      
number of individuals convicted of a    
,federal offense during the preceding   
year who are or were in foster care1    
disaggregated by the types of           
convictions described in paragraph 7#a72
  7#c7 the number of individuals who    
were serving a term of imprisonment for 
a ,federal offense during the preceding 
year1 disaggregated by the types of     
convictions described in paragraph 7#a72
  7#d7 the number of individuals who    
were serving a term of imprisonment for 
a ,federal offense during the preceding 
year who1 at the time of conviction1    
were in foster care1 or were previously 
in foster care at any point1            
disaggregated by the types of           
convictions described in paragraph 7#a72
 and  7#e7 the total cost of            
incarcerating individuals who were in   

foster care at the time of conviction or
 previously were in foster care at any  
point4  7d7 ,not later than #a year     
after the date of enactment of this     
section1 the ,attorney ,general shall   
issue rules to implement this section4  
4  7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of
 sections for chapter #cja of title #ah1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by   
inserting after the item related to     
section #djad the following3  #djae4    
,foster care reporting4  4  #ab4 ,health
 insurance for former foster youth  7a7 
,in general ,subsection 7a7 of section  
#ajjb of the ,,support for ,patients and
 ,communities ,act 7,public ,law        
#aae-bga7 is amended to read as follows3
  7a7 ,coverage ,continuity for ,former 
,foster ,care ,children up to ,age #bf  
7#a7 ,in general ,section               
#aijb7;a77#aj77;,a77i77,,ix7 of the     
,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4   
#acif;a7a77#aj77;,a77i77,,ix77 is       
amended-- 7,a7 in item 7bb7-- 7i7 by    
striking are not described in or        

enrolled under and inserting are not    
described in and are not enrolled under2
 and  7ii7 by adding and at the end2    
7,b7 in item 7cc71 by striking          
responsibility of the ,state and all    
that follows through #dge7h77;,b77iii72 
and and inserting responsibility of a   
,state on the date of attaining #ba     
years of age1 were in such care at any  
age but subsequently left such care to  
enter into a legal guardianship with a  
kinship caregiver 7without regard to    
whether kinship guardianship payments   
are being made on behalf of the child   
under part ,e of title ,,iv71 or were   
emancipated from such care prior to     
attaining age #ba22 and  7,c7 by        
striking item 7dd74  7#b7 ,effective    
date ,the amendments made by this       
subsection shall apply with respect to  
eligibility determinations made on or   
after the date of enactment of the      
,fostering ,healthy ,transitions into   
,adulthood ,act of #bjbj4  4  7b7       
,secretarial notification process ,not  

later than ,january #a1 #bjba1 the      
,secretary of ,health and ,human        
,services1 in coordination with ,state  
,medicaid agencies and ,state agencies  
responsible for administering the ,state
 plan under part ,e of title ,,iv of the
 ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4  
#fgj et seq471 shall have in place a    
process-- 7#a7 to notify each foster    
child and each individual under #bf     
years of age who was previously in      
foster care in any ,state that such     
child or individual may be eligible to  
enroll in the ,state plan approved under
 title ,,xix of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4
 #acif et seq47 of the ,state in which  
such child or individual resides 7or    
under a waiver of such plan72 and  7#b7 
to provide each such child and          
individual with information on how to   
submit an application to enroll in such 
,state plan 7or under such a waiver74