,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #eadf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bh1 #bjbf,mrs4 ,murray introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to improve the financial aid process for homeless and foster care youth4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,definitions 7a7 ,homeless and foster youth ,section #ajc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#aj71 paragraphs 7#aa7 through 7#bb71 and paragraphs 7#bc7 through 7#bd71 as paragraph 7#aa71 paragraphs 7#ac7 through 7#bd71 and paragraphs 7#bf7 through 7#bg71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 the following3 7#aj7 ,foster care youth ,the term foster care youth-- 7,a7 means children and youth whose care and placement are the responsibility of the ,state or ,tribal agency that administers a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq471 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of such children and youth2 and 7,b7 includes individuals who were age #ac or older when their care and placement were the responsibility of a ,state or ,tribal agency that administered a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq47 and who are no longer under the care and responsibility of such a ,state or ,tribal agency1 without regard to any such individual's subsequent adoption1 guardianship arrangement1 or other form of permanency outcome4 2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#aa71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#ab7 ,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 2 and 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#bd71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#be7 ,unaccompanied ,the terms unaccompanied and unaccompanied youth have the meaning given the term unaccompanied youth in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a74 4 7b7 ,technical correction ,section #dhj of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife is amended by striking subsections 7m7 and 7n74 #c4 ,student loan ombudsman assistance for homeless and foster youth ,section #ada7;f77#c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajah7;f77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 receive1 review1 and resolve expeditiously complaints regarding a student's independence under paragraph 7#b7 or 7#h7 of section #dhj7;d71 in consultation with knowledgeable parties1 including child welfare agencies1 local educational agency liaisons for homeless youth designated under section #gbb7;g77#a77;,j77ii7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb7;g77#a77;,j77ii771 or ,state ,coordinators for ,education of ,homeless ,children and ,youth established in accordance with section #gbb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb74 4 #d4 ,liaisons and ,access to ,housing for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth 7a7 ,access to housing ,section #dhg7;a77#ai7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77#ai77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the institution will not and inserting the following3 ,the institution-- 7,a7 will not 2 7#b7 by inserting housing facilities1 after libraries12 7#c7 by striking institution4 and inserting institution2 and2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 will provide a means for students to access institutionally owned or operated housing if a student is temporarily unable to meet financial obligations related to housing1 including deposits1 due to delayed disbursement of vouchers for education and training made available under section #dgg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7 or delays attributable to the institution4 4 7b7 ,liaisons ,section #dhe of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajib7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7n7 ,liaisons and ,access to ,housing for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,each institution of higher education participating in any program under this title shall-- 7#a7 have designated an appropriate staff person with sufficient capacity and training to act as a liaison to assist homeless youth1 students who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth in accessing and completing postsecondary education1 including by ensuring that those individuals are connected to applicable and available student support services1 programs1 and community resources such as financial aid1 academic advising1 housing1 food1 public benefits1 health care1 health insurance1 mental health care1 child care1 transportation benefits1 and mentoring2 7#b7 post on the institution's website-- 7,a7 the contact information for the liaison designated under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 information on the process for providing documentation for a determination of independence under section #dgi;,d2 and 7,c7 information about student financial assistance and other assistance available to homeless youth1 students who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth1 including their eligibility as independent students under paragraph 7#b7 or 7#h7 of sections #dhj7;d72 7#c7 give priority for any institutionally owned or operated housing facilities1 including student housing facilities that remain open for occupation during school breaks or on a year-round basis1 to-- 7,a7 homeless youth2 7,b7 youth who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting2 and 7,c7 foster care youth2 7#d7 have developed a plan for how such homeless youth1 youth who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms1 through means that may include access to institutionally owned or operated housing during breaks and a list of housing resources in the community that provide short-term housing2 and 7#e7 include1 in its application for admission1 questions 7to be answered voluntarily7 regarding the applicant's status as a homeless youth 7including unaccompanied homeless youth71 youth who is unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 or foster care youth1 that-- 7,a7 can be answered by the applicant voluntarily for the limited purpose of being provided information about financial aid or any other available assistance2 7,b7 explain the key terms in the question in a manner that applicants can understand in order to self-identify with such status2 and 7,c7 with consent of the applicant1 may be shared with the liaison after admission but prior to the beginning of the next academic term4 4 #e4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in ,federal ,,trio programs ,section #djb;,a of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#f71 by striking the last sentence and inserting the following3 ,the ,secretary shall require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this chapter to identify and conduct outreach to homeless youth and foster care youth1 and make available to homeless youth and foster care youth services under such programs1 including mentoring1 tutoring1 and other services provided by such programs42 and 7#b7 in subsection 7f77#b71 by striking college students1 and and inserting college students1 homeless youth1 foster care youth1 and4 #f4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in talent search ,section #djb;,b7d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ab7;d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless youth and foster care youth2 7#f7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application for the project1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to such homeless youth and foster care youth as part of the project2 and 7#g7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #g4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in upward bound ,section #djb;,c7e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ac7;e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless youth and foster care youth2 7#g7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to such homeless youth and foster care youth regarding the project2 and 7#h7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #h4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in student support services ,section #djb;,d7e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ad7;e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless youth and foster care youth2 7#h7 require that such entity submit1 in the application for the project1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to such homeless youth and foster care youth1 who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution2 and 7#i7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #i4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in educational opportunity centers ,section #djb;,f7c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#af7;c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless youth and foster care youth2 7#e7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to such homeless youth and foster care youth regarding the project2 and 7#f7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #aj4 ,reports and evaluations ,section #djb;,h of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ah7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,report regarding homeless and foster youth ,each entity carrying out a project under section #djb;,b1 #djb;,c1 #djb;,d1 or #djb;,f shall1 at the conclusion of the project1 prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary that includes-- 7#a7 data on the number of homeless youth and foster care youth served through the project2 and 7#b7 a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used in the project and that were effective in meeting the needs of such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #aa4 ,serving homeless and foster youth in gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs 7a7 ,applications ,section #djd;,c7a77#b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#bc7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,i71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,j71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,k7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless youth and foster care youth2 7,l7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the assurance1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to such homeless youth and foster care youth regarding the project2 and 7,m7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djd;,g7c7 at the conclusion of the project regarding such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 7b7 ,permissible activities ,section #djd;,d7b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#bd7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#af7 ,facilitating the recruitment1 participation1 and retention of homeless youth and foster care youth1 which may include-- 7,a7 establishing partnerships with community-based organizations1 child welfare agencies1 homeless shelters1 and local educational agency liaisons for homeless individuals designated under section #gbb7;g77#a77;,j77ii7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb7;g77#a77;,j77ii77 to identify students1 improve policies and practices1 and to establish data sharing agreements2 7,b7 carrying out-- 7i7 activities to facilitate continued participation despite changes in residence resulting from homelessness or foster care placement2 and 7ii7 policies consistent with the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacja et seq47 to allow for such participation and retention1 including allowing continued participation when an eligible student is no longer enrolled in a school served under this chapter on a temporary basis1 or providing transitional services and referrals when an eligible student is no longer enrolled in a school served under this chapter on a permanent basis2 and 7,c7 carrying out other activities to meet the needs of such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 7c7 ,evaluation and report ,section #djd;,g of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#bg7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7c7 and 7d71 as subsections 7d7 and 7e71 respectively2 and 7#b7 inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,report regarding homeless and foster youth ,each entity carrying out a project under section #djd;,a shall1 at the conclusion of the project1 prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary that includes-- 7#a7 data on the number of homeless youth and foster care youth served through the project2 and 7#b7 a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used in the project and that were effective in meeting the needs of such homeless youth and foster care youth4 4 #ab4 ,priority for ,federal work-study programs for homeless and foster youth ,section #ddc7;b77#f7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg-ec7;b77#f77 is amended by inserting 1 and prioritize employment for students who are homeless youth or foster care youth after thereof4 #ac4 ,data transparency on the number of pending requests for determination by homeless youth ,section #dhc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7 is amended in subsection 7c77#b7-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 the number of undetermined requests for homelessness consideration1 including statuses that remain unknown because no determination had been made in response to the applicant's request for the institution to consider the applicant's special circumstance of being homeless4 4 #ad4 ,in-,state tuition rates for homeless 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 inserting and homeless youth and foster care youth after service2 7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking 7a7 ,requirement4--,in the case and inserting the following3 7a7 ,requirement 7#a7 ,qualifying federal service ,in the case 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,homeless and foster youth ,in the case of a homeless youth or a foster care youth1 such ,state shall not charge such individual tuition and required fees for attendance at a public institution of higher education in the ,state at a rate that is greater than the rate of tuition and required fees charged for residents of the ,state4 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,this section and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in ,general ,with respect to an individual described in subsection 7a77#a71 this section 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,homeless and foster youth ,with respect to an individual described in subsection 7a77#b71 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 effective date of the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act of #bjbf4 4 #ae4 ,secretarial support and guidance for homeless and foster youth ,part ,b of title ,i 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaa et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #abd4 ,secretarial support and guidance for homeless and foster youth 7a7 ,guidance ,not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act of #bjbf1 the ,secretary shall issue revised guidance for institutions and financial aid administrators regarding serving homeless youth 7including unaccompanied homeless youth71 students who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth1 including the requirements of the determination process for financial aid administrators as specified in section #dgi;,d4 7b7 ,professional development ,beginning not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act of #bjbf1 the ,secretary shall conduct an annual professional development or training program1 such as a webinar1 for liaisons described under section #dhe7n7 and interested faculty or staff regarding postsecondary education services for such homeless youth 7including unaccompanied homeless youth71 students who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act of #bjbf1 and not less than once every #e years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to ,congress a report containing strategies used by institutions1 financial aid administrators1 and liaisons described under section #dhe7n7 that were effective in meeting the needs of such homeless youth 7including unaccompanied homeless youth71 students who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care youth1 including strategies relating to streamlining financial aid policies and procedures and postsecondary education recruitment1 retention1 and completion4 4 #af4 ,effective date ,this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall take effect on ,july #a1 #bjbf4