Fostering Healthy Transitions into Adulthood Act of 2020
This bill modifies foster care assistance programs, including extending payments for youth who stay in foster care up to age 21, extending supports to former foster youth transitioning to adulthood, and establishing workforce grants for current and former foster youth.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7591 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7591
To support the health and well-being of current and former foster care
youth transitioning into adulthood.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 13, 2020
Mr. Lewis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on
Education and Labor, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 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 adulthood.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fostering Healthy Transitions into
Adulthood Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. 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 adulthood. This Act also strengthens the
direct responsibility of the Federal Government for foster care youth
transitioning out of care.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Nearly 25,000 foster youth become too old to receive
foster care assistance and benefits--or ``age out''--every
year.
(2) Youth aging out of foster care and transitioning to
independent living require considerable support from local,
State, and Federal Government to ensure a smooth transition
into healthy, independent adulthood.
(3) Foster youth are more likely to have been exposed to
childhood and adolescent trauma, subjected to multiple chronic
health challenges, and diagnosed with poorer mental and
physical health outcomes than their peers. Additionally, foster
youth are more vulnerable to suffer from persistent anxiety,
depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other severe
challenges to their health.
(4) As a result, youth aging out of foster care experience
tremendous difficulty in completing education, obtaining
gainful employment, accessing and receiving basic health care,
maintaining stable housing, and avoiding the criminal justice
system.
(5) Studies indicate that more than 80 percent of foster
youth transitioning into adulthood are unable to support
themselves financially.
(6) Only 4 percent of youth aging out of foster care earn a
college degree by age 26, as compared to 36 percent of
individuals who never experience foster care.
(7) On average, youth aging out of foster care earn
approximately half the income of their similarly educated peers
and are employed at significantly lower rates.
(8) Accordingly, individuals transitioning out of foster
care are often linked with homelessness and housing
instability. One national study estimated that approximately 66
percent of former foster youth experience a homeless episode
within 6 months after transitioning out of care.
(9) Moreover, youth aging out of foster care are less
likely to seek health and mental care services that are often
desperately needed.
(10) Nearly 60 percent of young men who have aged out of
foster care and of emancipated young men have been convicted of
a crime.
SEC. 4. MODIFICATIONS TO FEDERAL FOSTER CARE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Expansion of Age of Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--Section 475(8) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 675(8)) is amended to read as follows:
``(8) The term `child' means--
``(A) an individual who has not attained 18 years
of age; and
``(B) an individual who has attained 18 years of
age but has not attained 21 years of age, but only in
the case of an individual--
``(i) who is in foster care under the
responsibility of the State;
``(ii) with respect to whom an adoption
assistance agreement is in effect under section
473 if the child had attained 16 years of age
before the agreement became effective; or
``(iii) with respect to whom a kinship
guardianship assistance agreement is in effect
under section 473(d) if the child had attained
16 years of age before the agreement became
effective.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Part E of title IV of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) is amended--
(A) by amending section 473(a)(4)(A)(i) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 673(a)(4)(A)(i)) to read as follows:
``(i) who has attained 21 years of age;'';
(B) in section 471(a)(9)(C)(i)(I) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 671(a)(9)(C)(i)(I)), by striking ``18 years of
age or such older age as the State has elected under
section 475(8) of this Act'' and inserting ``21 years
of age'';
(C) in section 472(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
672(c)(2)), by striking ``18'' and inserting ``21'';
and
(D) in section 475(5)(I) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
675(5)(I)), by striking ``18 years of age or such
greater age as the State has elected under paragraph
(8)'' and inserting ``21 years of age''.
(b) Placement and Interaction of Siblings in Foster Care.--Section
471(a)(31) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(31)) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``reasonable'' and inserting ``all available''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) in the case of siblings removed from their
home who are not so jointly placed--
``(i) to place each such sibling at a
distance that is in close proximity to the
placement location of, and permits frequent,
in-person contact with, all other siblings; and
``(ii) to provide for frequent visitation
or other ongoing interaction between the
siblings, 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
State,
unless the State documents that such placement or
interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-
being of any of the siblings; and
``(C) 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 contact.''.
(c) Requirements for Older Foster Youth.--Section 475(1)(D) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)(D)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(D) For a child who has attained 14 years of age
or over, a written description, developed in
consultation with the child, updated on an annual basis
until the child attains 17 years of age, and, if
necessary, coordinated with a transition plan under
subparagraph (5)(H), of the programs and services which
will help such child prepare for the transition from
foster care to a successful adulthood, including
specific options on--
``(i) education, including identifying
personalized goals for the child in terms of
academic performance, course selection, and
college admission as well as any counseling,
tutoring, or other support needed to meet those
goals;
``(ii) extracurricular activities and
opportunities, including those offered both at
the child's school and in the child's
community;
``(iii) local opportunities for mentors and
other continuing support services;
``(iv) behavioral or mental health
services, including trauma-informed counseling;
and
``(v) assistance, if requested by the
child, in finding a part-time job, that does
not require more than 10 hours of work per week
when school is in session or 20 hours of work
per week when school is not in session.''.
(d) Requirements for Transition Planning.--Section 475(5) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)) is amended--
(1) by amending subparagraph (H) to read as follows:
``(H) on an annual basis during each year of the
period beginning on the date the child attains 17 years
of age and ending on the date the child is discharged
from foster care, a caseworker on the staff of the
State agency, and, as appropriate, other
representatives of the child provide the child with
assistance and support in developing a transition plan
that--
``(i) is personalized at the direction of
the child and is as detailed as the child may
elect;
``(ii) includes specific options on
housing, health insurance, education, local
opportunities for mentors and continuing
support services, and work force supports and
employment services;
``(iii) includes information about joining
the Armed Services, AmeriCorps, the Peace
Corps, or Job Corps, or participating in any
program under the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act or section 10 of the Fostering
Healthy Transitions into Adulthood Act of 2020;
``(iv) 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 have, or does not want,
a relative who would otherwise be authorized
under State law to make such decisions; and
``(v) provides the child with the option to
execute a durable power of attorney for
finances, and a health care power of attorney,
health care proxy, or other similar document
recognized under State law; and''; and
(2) in subparagraph (I), by inserting after ``REAL ID Act
of 2005,'' the following: ``certified copies of any legal
documents pertaining to custody of the child or the child's
status in foster care, banking and financial information
related to any accounts opened by the child or on behalf of the
child,''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2020.
SEC. 5. MODIFICATIONS TO CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM.
(a) Expansion of Age of Eligibility.--Section 477 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(6), by striking ``16'' and inserting
``14'';
(2) by striking ``18'' each place it appears (except in
subsection (b)(3)(C)) and inserting ``21'';
(3) by striking ``21'' each place it appears (except in
subsection (f)) and inserting ``26''; and
(4) by striking ``23'' each place it appears and inserting
``28''.
(b) In-State Tuition Rates for Qualifying Foster Youth.--Section
477(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(L) 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 (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) or a
postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in
section 102(c) of such Act) in the State at a rate that
is greater than the rate charged for residents of the
State for such attendance.''.
(c) Improved Services for Transitioning Youth.--Section 477(b)(3)
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(3)), as amended by subsection (b), is
further amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``abstinence education
programs'' and inserting ``comprehensive sexual education
programs'';
(2) in subparagraph (K)--
(A) by inserting ``financial and'' before ``health
care treatment''; and
(B) by inserting ``a durable power of attorney for
finances, and'' before ``a health care power of
attorney''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(M) A certification by the chief executive
officer of the State that the State will--
``(i) ensure that each youth participating
in the program under this section is provided
with--
``(I) a financial education that
helps the youth understand basic
financial topics, including budgeting,
managing bank accounts, interest rates,
savings, credit, retirement,
investment, insurance, mortgages,
loans, and identity theft and
protection;
``(II) assistance with establishing
a checking account and a savings
account at no cost to the youth; and
``(III) information about
participating, and assistance with
enrolling, in an individual development
account (as defined in section 404(5)
of the Assets for Independence Act (42
U.S.C. 604(5)); and
``(ii) designate at least 10 percent of the
amount paid to the State from its allotment
under subsection (c) for a fiscal year to
provide for an additional State match of the
youth's contributions to an individual
development account (as so defined).
``(N) 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 scholarships,
grants, and loans to continue education or career
training, including (if requested by the youth)
individualized assistance with completing the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid.
``(O) 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 care.
``(P) A certification by the chief executive
officer of the State that, if the State has a voter
registration requirement for any voter in the State
with respect to an election for Federal office, 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 is, 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 election, provided with
written notice of the youth's voter registration status
and, if the youth is not registered to vote, provided
with the opportunity to register to vote.
``(Q) 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 status, including information about how
to begin or complete the process of naturalization.
``(R) 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 participate, at no
expense to the youth, in a mentoring program or another
program designed to build personal and emotional
connections between adults and children aging out of
foster care, and that each youth is provided with
information about participating in such a program on no
less than an annual basis, which shall include an
explanation of how such programs and connections
generally benefit youth who have experienced foster
care.
``(S) A certification by the chief executive
officer of the State that the State will--
``(i) inquire of each individual convicted
of a State offense (including juveniles), if
such individual, at the time of conviction, was
in foster care, or was previously in foster
care at any point;
``(ii) inquire of each individual convicted
of a State offense who is or was in foster care
the circumstances and duration of foster care;
``(iii) 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 (ii); and
``(iv) report to the Secretary on an annual
basis, in such form as the Secretary may
require--
``(I) the number of individuals
convicted of a State offense in the
preceding year, disaggregated by type
of conviction;
``(II) the number of individuals
convicted of a State offense in the
preceding year who are or were in
foster care, disaggregated by type of
conviction;
``(III) the number of individuals
held in incarceration for a Federal
offense in the preceding year,
disaggregated by type of conviction;
``(IV) the number of individuals
held in incarceration for a Federal
offense in the preceding year who are
or were in foster care, disaggregated
by type of conviction;
``(V) the total estimated cost of
incarceration for each person who is or
was in foster care; and
``(VI) such other information as
the Secretary may require.''.
(d) Increased Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 477(h) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$140,000,000, or,
beginning in fiscal year 2021, $143,000,000'' and inserting
``$429,000,000''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$60,000,000'' and
inserting ``$180,000,000''.
(e) Expansion of Educational and Training Vouchers.--Section 477(i)
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``may'' and inserting
``shall'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``16'' and inserting ``14''; and
(B) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``may allow'' and inserting ``shall
allow'';
(B) by striking ``26'' and inserting ``28''; and
(C) by striking ``, but in no event may a youth
participate in the program for more than 5 years
(whether or not consecutive)'' and inserting ``, except
that the State shall allow youths participating in the
voucher program who attain 28 years of age to complete
their postsecondary education or training program'';
(4) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
``(4) The voucher or vouchers provided for an individual
under this section shall be available for, and in an amount
that shall not exceed, the cost of attendance (as defined in
section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) at an
institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965) or a postsecondary vocational
institution (as defined in section 102(c) of such Act).''; and
(5) in paragraph (5), by striking ``may'' and inserting
``shall''.
(f) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on June 1, 2021, except that the amendments made by
subsection (d) shall apply with respect to fiscal years
beginning with fiscal year 2021.
(2) 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 Act, 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 2020.
SEC. 6. FOSTER CARE TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
Part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 477 the following:
``SEC. 477A. FOSTER CARE TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--In coordination with assistance provided under
the programs under sections 477 and 477B, the Secretary shall--
``(1) administer the programs described in this section;
and
``(2) develop professional guidelines and national
standards to be made available for use by foster care
transitional services and related programs receiving Federal
funding.
``(b) Improved Federal Information Resources for Current and Former
Foster Youth.--
``(1) Website for current and former foster youth.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and
maintain a website designed to provide specific
information about Federal, State, and local resources
available to current and former foster youth.
``(B) Information guidelines.--The website shall
include information about the availability of, and the
eligibility requirements for, all public resources
available to current and former foster youth,
including--
``(i) information about transition planning
requirements required by section 475(5)(H);
``(ii) assistance with any program under
this section, section 477, or section 477B;
``(iii) assistance with any program
established under the Fostering Healthy
Transitions into Adulthood Act of 2020;
``(iv) the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid and other information about Federal
financial aid;
``(v) Pell Grants;
``(vi) Federal TRIO programs;
``(vii) waivers for applications to
institutions of higher education;
``(viii) job training programs available to
current or former foster youth;
``(ix) Medicaid; and
``(x) programs offered by State and local
governments aimed at assisting current or
former foster youth.
``(C) Accessibility.--The website shall be--
``(i) accessible with a simple website
address that can be used in advertisements and
easily remembered;
``(ii) searchable from the public websites
of the Department of Health and Human Services,
the Department of Education, the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, and the
Department of Labor;
``(iii) compliant with all applicable laws
and regulations regarding accessibility, data
protection, and privacy for Federal websites;
and
``(iv) able to be easily navigated and
understood by current and former foster youth.
``(2) Hotline.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and
maintain a telephone hotline designed to provide
specific information about Federal, State, and local
resources available to current and former foster youth.
``(B) Information guidelines.--The hotline shall--
``(i) accept calls from current foster
youth, former foster youth, and assisting
adults; and
``(ii) answer questions and provide
guidance about the availability of, and an
individual's eligibility for, all public
resources available to current and former
foster youth described in paragraph (1)(B).
``(C) Accessibility.--The hotline shall be--
``(i) accessible with a toll-free number
that can be used in advertisements and easily
remembered;
``(ii) compliant with all applicable laws
and regulations regarding accessibility, data
protection, and privacy for Federal telephone
systems; and
``(iii) able to be easily navigated and
understood by current and former foster youth.
``(3) Consultation.--In developing the resources required
by this section, the Secretary shall consult with--
``(A) the Secretary of Education;
``(B) the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development;
``(C) the Secretary of Labor;
``(D) other Federal agencies serving current or
former foster youth;
``(E) State and local government child welfare
agencies;
``(F) State Medicaid agencies;
``(G) State and local government education and
labor agencies;
``(H) advocacy groups representing current and
former foster youth; and
``(I) nonprofit organizations serving current or
former foster youth.
``(4) Public awareness campaign.--After establishing the
website and telephone hotline as required by this subsection,
the Secretary shall collaborate with agencies and stakeholders
identified in paragraph (3) to publicize the website and the
hotline to current foster youth, former foster youth,
caseworkers, service providers, mentors, school counselors,
foster parents, adoptive parents of former foster youth, and
other concerned adults.
``(5) Deadlines.--The requirements of this subsection shall
be fully implemented not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act.
``(c) Basic Housing and Transportation Allowance for Transitional
Foster Care Individuals.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (5), the Secretary
shall provide to eligible individuals (as described in
paragraph (3)) a basic monthly allowance for housing and
transportation in the amount determined under paragraph (2), to
be paid in advance on the day preceding the first day of each
month in the individual's independent living transition period.
``(2) Amounts.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraphs (B), 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 (as
determined under subparagraph (C)) of the sum of the
following:
``(i) The average monthly cost (as
determined by the Secretary in coordination
with the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development) of a one-bedroom apartment in the
geographic area in which the eligible
individual resides during such month, including
the cost of--
``(I) rent;
``(II) utilities, including
electricity, natural gas, heating oil,
water, sewer, trash, recycling, cable
television, telephones, and internet
access;
``(III) maintenance fees or other
fees commonly paid in connection with a
residential property; and
``(IV) renter's insurance or a
similar product.
``(ii) The average monthly cost (as
determined by the Secretary in coordination
with the Secretary of Transportation) of
automobile ownership in the geographic area in
which the eligible individual resides during
such month, including the cost of--
``(I) automobile operation,
maintenance, registration, and
insurance;
``(II) licensing and insuring a
driver;
``(III) property, ad valorem, or
other State or local taxes paid in
relation to owning or operating an
automobile; and
``(IV) parking an automobile.
``(B) Initial month installment payment.--In the
case of an eligible individual who receives a basic
monthly allowance under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall provide the individual an initial installment
payment for the first month of the individual's
independent living transition period, in an amount
equal to and in addition to the basic monthly allowance
for such month, for the purpose of paying a security
deposit, application fee, or related expenses.
``(C) Applicable percentage.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage shall be--
``(i) 100 percent for any month in the 1st
year of the individual's independent living
transition period;
``(ii) 75 percent for any month in the 2nd
year of the individual's independent living
transition period;
``(iii) 50 percent for any month in the 3rd
year of the individual's independent living
transition period; and
``(iv) 25 percent for any month in the 4th
year of the individual's independent living
transition period.
``(D) Authority to provide additional amounts.--In
addition to amounts otherwise provided to an eligible
individual under this paragraph, 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 household. 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 6
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
``(E) 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
(A) to own, operate, maintain, license, permit, insure,
park, or pay taxes on an automobile, or license or
insure the eligible individual as a driver thereof, in
order to receive such allowance.
``(F) 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
costs, in the geographic area in which the eligible
individual resides, of a one-bedroom apartment or
automobile ownership, as such costs are described in
subparagraph (A).
``(3) Eligibility.--An individual eligible to receive a
basic allowance for housing and transportation for a month
under this subsection is an individual--
``(A) who is a former foster care recipient who has
attained 21 years of age;
``(B) who is living independently and not
residing--
``(i) at a Federal, State, local, or
private foster home, group home, or similar
transitional living facility; or
``(ii) with a parent, foster parent, or
legal guardian; and
``(C) who is--
``(i) completing secondary education or a
program leading to an equivalent credential;
``(ii) enrolled in an institution that
provides postsecondary or vocational education;
``(iii) actively seeking employment or
participating in a program or activity designed
to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;
``(iv) employed for at least 80 hours per
month; or
``(v) incapable of doing any of the
activities described in clauses (i) through
(iv) due to a medical condition demonstrated by
regularly updated information submitted to the
Secretary.
``(4) Independent living transition period.--For purposes
of this subsection, the term `independent living transition
period' means, with respect to an eligible individual, the 4-
year period beginning with the month after the month during
which the individual aged out of foster care or left foster
care for independent living.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out this
subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated
$217,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
``(d) Foster Youth Educational Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--To the extent amounts are made available
to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) award grants to eligible entities to
establish, expand, or support programs for eligible
individuals as described in paragraph (2);
``(B) ensure that any such programs receiving
funding under this subsection use evidence-informed or
evidence-based models, practices, and methods that are
culturally and linguistically appropriate and can be
replicated in other appropriate settings; and
``(C) provide technical assistance to eligible
entities in applying for and administering a grant made
under this subsection.
``(2) Use of funds.--An eligible entity may use amounts
awarded under a grant under paragraph (1) to--
``(A) provide information or services related to
housing, nutrition assistance, financial assistance,
academic tutoring and guidance, mental health support
services, child care, or career preparatory services
for eligible individuals;
``(B) provide training to employees of eligible
entities in promising and evidence-based practices and
models for the education of current and former foster
youth; and
``(C) evaluate outcomes of current and former
foster youth enrolled in institutions of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).
``(3) Eligible individuals and entities.--In this
subsection:
``(A) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible
individual' means an individual at least 14 years of
age--
``(i) who--
``(I) is in foster care; or
``(II) was formerly in foster care
at any time after attaining 14 years of
age;
``(ii) is enrolled at an institution of
higher education (as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)) or a postsecondary vocational
institution (as defined in section 102(c) of
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))).
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001)) or a postsecondary vocational institution
(as defined in section 102(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1002(c)).
``(4) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(5) Matching funds.--The Secretary may not award a grant
under this subsection to an eligible entity unless the eligible
entity agrees, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the
eligible entity in carrying out the activities described in
paragraph (2), to make available non-Federal contributions (in
cash or in kind) toward such costs in an amount that is not
less than 10 percent of the total amount of Federal funds
provided in the grant.
``(6) Coordination with federal trio programs.--An eligible
entity awarded a grant under this subsection that also operates
a program that receives assistance under chapter 1 of subpart 2
of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11 et seq.) shall coordinate activities under each such
program to ensure that current or former foster youth have
maximum access and involvement in such activities.
``(7) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall, by grant, contract,
or interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed
evaluations of the programs for which a grant is made under
this section.
``(8) Reports.--
``(A) To the secretary.--
``(i) In general.--An eligible entity
awarded a grant under this section shall--
``(I) submit interim reports to the
Secretary on the activities carried out
under the project, including the number
of applications received and the number
of participants enrolled; and
``(II) on the conclusion of the
project, a final report on the
activities, including the number of
participants who successfully completed
the program.
``(ii) Data on participant outcomes.--Each
such report shall include data on participant
outcomes related to employment, educational or
credential attainment, participant
demographics, and such other data as may be
specified by the Secretary.
``(B) To the congress.--Not later than December 31
of each calendar year, the Secretary shall submit to
the appropriate Congressional committees a report for
the preceding fiscal year on activities funded under
this subsection, including--
``(i) the demographics of the participants
in the projects for which a grant is made under
this subsection;
``(ii) the amount of funds spent on
complying with subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (2) of this subsection, respectively;
``(iii) the employment and educational
credentials acquired by project participants;
``(iv) the employment of participants on
completion of activities under the projects,
and the earnings of participants at entry into
employment;
``(v) best practices and promising
practices used by grantees;
``(vi) the nature of any technical
assistance provided to grantees under this
subsection;
``(vii) with respect to the period since
the period covered in the most recent prior
report submitted under this paragraph--
``(I) the number of applications
submitted under this subsection and the
number of applications that were
approved; and
``(II) the number of eligible
individuals who applied, enrolled, and
remained enrolled in programs operated
by each eligible entity; and
``(viii) the 10 individual applications not
approved for a grant under this subsection that
showed the greatest potential to meet the goals
of this subsection, including the estimated
number of beneficiaries of each such
application.
``(C) Appropriate congressional committees.--In
this paragraph, the term `appropriate Congressional
committees' means--
``(i) the Committee on Education and Labor
of the House of Representatives;
``(ii) the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives;
``(iii) the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives;
``(iv) the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
``(v) the Committee on Finance of the
Senate; and
``(vi) the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate.
``(9) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out this
subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
``(e) Foster Youth Education Preparation Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--To the extent amounts are made available
to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) make grants to eligible entities to provide
assistance to eligible individuals for costs associated
with preparing for postsecondary education; and
``(B) provide technical assistance to eligible
entities in applying for and administering a grant made
under this subsection.
``(2) Use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--Assistance provided to an
eligible individual by a grantee under this subsection
may be used for--
``(i) the cost of an examination required
for admission to an institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001))
or a postsecondary vocational institution (as
defined in section 102(c) of such Act (20
U.S.C. 1002(c)));
``(ii) the cost of a preparatory course for
an examination required for admission to such
an institution;
``(iii) the cost of visiting such an
institution prior to attendance, including the
associated costs of lodging, transportation,
and food;
``(iv) the cost of a preparatory course for
a professional licensing or certification
examination; or
``(v) the cost of any applicable
application fees for enrollment in such an
institution.
``(B) Amount of assistance.--The amount of
assistance provided to an eligible individual by a
grantee under this subsection may not exceed--
``(i) for fiscal year 2021, $1,000; and
``(ii) for each succeeding fiscal year,
$1,000 multiplied by the percentage (if any) by
which the consumer price index for all urban
consumers (CPI-U) for the fiscal year preceding
such fiscal year exceeds the CPI-U for fiscal
year 2020.
``(C) 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 elementary, middle, or secondary
school.
``(3) Eligible individuals and entities.--In this
subsection:
``(A) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible
individual' means an individual who--
``(i) is in foster care or was formerly in
foster care and is participating in the program
under section 477; and
``(ii) is actively seeking or preparing to
seek admission to an institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965) or a
postsecondary vocational institution (as
defined in section 102(c) of such Act).
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means an entity eligible to receive grants under
chapter 1 of subpart 2 of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.).
``(4) Additional considerations.--In making grants under
this subsection, 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 States.
``(5) Verification.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall provide
guidance to eligible entities--
``(A) to regulate the process by which an eligible
individual receives assistance or reimbursement from an
eligible entity; and
``(B) to ensure that such process is as simple and
coordinated for the eligible individual as possible.
``(6) Coordination with federal trio programs.--An eligible
entity awarded a grant under this subsection that also operates
a program that receives assistance under chapter 1 of subpart 2
of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11 et seq.) shall coordinate activities under each such
program to ensure that current or former foster youth have
maximum access and involvement in such activities.
``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out this
subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
``SEC. 477B. FOSTER YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
``(a) In General.--To the extent amounts are made available to
carry out this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) award grants to eligible entities to develop,
maintain, or enhance foster youth mental health promotion,
intervention, and treatment programs for eligible individuals;
``(2) ensure that any such programs receiving funding under
this section use evidence-informed or evidence-based models,
practices, and methods that are culturally and linguistically
appropriate and can be replicated in other appropriate
settings; and
``(3) provide technical assistance to eligible entities in
applying for and administering a grant made under this section.
``(b) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may use amounts awarded
under a grant under subsection (a) to--
``(1) provide age-appropriate mental health promotion,
assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services, including social
and behavioral services, for eligible individuals;
``(2) provide training--
``(A) 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 clinicians, early intervention
specialists, child welfare staff, home visitors, and
others who work with children, adolescents, and young
adults; and
``(B) to mental health clinicians in promising and
evidence-based practices and models for foster youth
mental health treatment, including practices for
identifying and treating mental illness and behavioral
disorders of foster youth resulting from exposure or
repeated exposure to adverse experiences or trauma; and
``(3) provide comprehensive services, including
transportation, child care, and replacement of lost wages, to
eligible individuals in care in order to facilitate activities
described in paragraph (1).
``(c) Eligible Individuals and Entities.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible individuals.--The term `eligible individual'
means an individual at least 5 years of age but not more than
26 years of age--
``(A) who--
``(i) is in foster care; or
``(ii) was formerly in foster care at any
time after attaining 5 years of age;
``(B) is at risk for, shows early signs of, or has
been diagnosed with a mental illness, including a
serious emotional disturbance; and
``(C) may benefit from intervention, mental health
treatment programs, or other services provided by an
eligible entity.
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
State agency or nonprofit entity that--
``(A) employs licensed mental health professionals
who have specialized training and experience in
childhood or adolescent mental health promotion,
assessment, diagnosis, trauma-informed care, and
treatment services;
``(B) 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 5 and
26; and
``(C) provides such services using methods that are
evidence-based or that have been scientifically
demonstrated to show promise but would benefit from
further applied development.
``(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
``(e) Preference.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary may give priority to eligible entities located in or serving
areas with--
``(1) insufficient access to behavioral or mental health
services despite demonstrated need, especially among vulnerable
populations; or
``(2) the largest populations of individuals in foster
care.
``(f) Matching Funds.--The Secretary may not award a grant under
this subsection to an eligible entity unless the eligible entity
agrees, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the eligible entity
in carrying out the activities described in subsection (b), to make
available non-Federal contributions (in cash or in kind) toward such
costs in an amount that is not less than 10 percent of the total amount
of Federal funds provided in the grant.
``(g) 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 activities.
``(h) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or
interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations
of the programs for which a grant is made under this section.
``(i) Reports.--
``(1) To the secretary.--(A) An eligible entity awarded a
grant under this section shall submit interim reports to the
Secretary on the activities carried out under the project,
including the number of eligible individuals served, and on the
conclusion of the project, shall submit a final report to the
Secretary on the activities carried out under a grant made
under this section.
``(B) Each such report shall include data on participant
outcomes related to earnings, employment, education, credential
attainment, participant demographics, and other data specified
by the Secretary.
``(2) To the congress.--Not later than December 31 of each
year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
Congressional committees a report for the preceding fiscal year
on--
``(A) the demographics of the participants in the
projects for which a grant is made under this section;
``(B) results of the evaluations required by
subsection (h);
``(C) best practices and promising practices used
in the projects;
``(D) the nature of any technical assistance
provided to grantees under this section; and
``(E) the 10 individual applications not approved
for a grant under this subsection that showed the
greatest potential to meet the goals of this
subsection, including the estimated number of
beneficiaries of each such application.
``(3) Publication.--Upon submission to Congress of a report
under this subsection, 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 website.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025.
``SEC. 477C. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO OLDER FOSTER YOUTH.
``(a) Programmatic Flexibility.--During any qualifying emergency
period, the following rules apply with respect to areas affected by
such qualifying emergency period:
``(1) Elimination of age limitations on eligibility for
assistance.--Eligibility for services or assistance under a
State program operated pursuant to sections 477 or 477A shall
be provided without regard to the age of the recipient.
``(2) Suspension of work and education requirements under
the education and training voucher program.--Sections
477(i)(3), 477A(c)(3)(C), and 477A(d) shall be applied and
administered without regard to any work or education
requirement.
``(3) Authority to waive limitation on percentage of funds
used for housing assistance.--The Secretary shall apply and
administer section 477 without regard to subsection (b)(3)(B)
of such section.
``(4) Suspension of applicable percentage of independent
living period.--The applicable percentage described in section
477A(c)(2)(C) shall be 100 percent.
``(b) State Defined.--In subsection (a), the term `State' has the
meaning given the term in section 1101(a) of the Social Security Act
for purposes of title IV of such Act, and includes an Indian tribe,
tribal organization, or tribal consortium with an application and plan
approved under section 477(j) of such Act for fiscal year 2020.
``(c) Qualifying Emergency Defined.--For purposes of subsection
(a), the term `qualifying emergency period' means the period beginning
on the date on which an emergency is declared under section 319 of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) or under section 401 or
section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and ending on the date that is 180 days after
the date on which such emergency terminates.''.
SEC. 7. IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH AND FOSTER YOUTH;
COORDINATION WITH CERTAIN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Institutional Services for Foster Youth.--
(1) In general.--Part B of title I of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
``SEC. 124. SERVICES FOR CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
``(a) In General.--No institution of higher education shall be
eligible to receive funds or any other form of financial assistance
under any Federal program, including participation in any federally
funded or guaranteed student loan program, unless the institution
certifies to the Secretary that the institution--
``(1) provides flexibility and assistance to help eligible
youth complete the application and admission process for the
institution, including by waiving application fees and
facilitating the process of enrollment for such youth;
``(2) designates a single point of contact to--
``(A) meet with eligible youth and assist them
identifying and utilizing available support services
for current or former foster youth, including academic
supports, financial assistance, and professional or
internship opportunities; and
``(B) coordinate programs with relevant on- and
off-campus stakeholders, including State child welfare
agencies and nonprofit organizations, to increase the
enrollment of eligible youth at the institution and
align services at the institution for such youth;
``(3) 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 periods;
``(4) subsidizes any fees for eligible youth associated
with orientation, offers free transportation to college
orientation or move-in week, offers free lodging if necessary
for the purposes of traveling for orientation or move-in week,
and offers free transportation for one person to accompany each
eligible youth on such travel;
``(5) ensures the availability of robust health services
for students, including physical and mental health services,
that meet the specific needs of eligible youth;
``(6) establishes or expands early alert systems to
identify and support eligible youth who may be struggling
academically;
``(7) provides eligible youth with emergency grants to
subsidize reasonable, 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
assistance; and
``(8) collects, reviews, and monitors data for program
improvement.
``(b) Eligible Youth.--In this section, the term `eligible youth'
means an individual who--
``(1) is in foster care; or
``(2) is receiving services under section 477 or 477A of
the Social Security Act.''.
(2) Applicability.--Section 124 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as added by paragraph (1), 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 Act.
(b) In-State Tuition Rates for Homeless Youth and Foster Youth.--
Section 135 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015d) is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``members of the
armed forces on active duty, spouses, and dependent children''
and inserting ``certain individuals'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``In the case'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) Armed forces.--In the case''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Homeless youth and foster youth.--In the case of a
homeless youth or a foster youth, 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 State.''; and
(3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the
following:
``(c) Effective Date.--
``(1) Armed forces.--With respect to an individual
described in subsection (a)(1), 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 2020.
``(2) Homeless youth and foster youth.--With respect to an
individual described in subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3), 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 2020.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Armed forces.--The terms `armed forces' and `active
duty for a period of more than 30 days' have the meanings given
those terms in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
``(2) Homeless youth.--The term `homeless youth' has the
meaning given the term `homeless children and youths' in
section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11434a).
``(3) Foster youth.--The term `foster youth' means an
individual who--
``(A) is in foster care; or
``(B) is receiving services under section 477 or
477A of the Social Security Act.''.
(c) Coordination With Foster Care Transitional Assistance Grants.--
Section 402A(c)(6) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11(c)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The
Secretary shall ensure that any recipient of funds under a program
authorized by this chapter that also receives funds under section 477A
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677A) shall coordinate activities
carried out under this chapter with activities carried out under such
section 477A to ensure that current or former foster youth have maximum
access to and involvement in such activities.''.
(d) Information for Foster Youth on Department Website.--Section
485E(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092f(b)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Information for foster youth on department website.--
``(A) 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 aid, including the
specific Federal programs under which such youth may be
eligible to receive assistance.
``(B) Coordination with secretary of health and
human services.--The posting of the information
required by subparagraph (A) on the website and via the
hotline established by section 477A of the Social
Security Act shall satisfy the requirement established
by this paragraph''.
SEC. 8. EXPANSION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT ELIGIBILITY TO CURRENT
AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
(a) In General.--Section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.
51) is amended in subsection (d)(1)--
(1) by striking ``, or'' in subparagraph (I);
(2) by striking the period and inserting ``, or'' in
subparagraph (J); and
(3) by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(K) an individual who--
``(i) receives or is eligible to receive
benefits under section 477 or section 477A of
the Social Security Act;
``(ii) who has aged out of foster care; or
``(iii) has been in foster care at any
point after age 14.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The changes made by this section shall take
effect on January 1, 2021.
SEC. 9. FOSTER CARE DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits)
is amended by adding after section 36B the following new section:
``SEC. 36C. CREDIT FOR FOSTER CARE DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for any
taxable year an amount equal to 50 percent of the contributions made by
the taxpayer for the taxable year to an individual development account
for a current or former foster youth.
``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Current or former foster youth.--The term `current or
former foster youth' means any individual--
``(A) currently in foster care;
``(B) who was in foster care at any point after age
14; or
``(C) receiving services under section 477 or
section 477A of the Social Security Act.
``(2) Individual development account.--The term `individual
development account' has the meaning given such term in section
404(5) of the Assets for Independence Act (42 U.S.C.
604(5)).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart C of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the
following new item:
Sec. 36C. Credit for foster care development.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.
SEC. 10. WORKFORCE GRANTS FOR CURRENT OR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 173. WORKFORCE GRANTS FOR CURRENT OR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall--
``(1) make four-year grants on a competitive basis to
eligible entities to design and implement programs to improve
the self-sufficiency, education attainment, and employment
skills of eligible individuals;
``(2) ensure that any such programs receiving funding under
this subsection use evidence-informed or evidence-based models,
practices, and methods that are culturally and linguistically
appropriate and can be replicated in other appropriate
settings;
``(3) develop best practices for serving current and former
foster youth in the workforce;
``(4) offer recommendations to Congress and States about
improving workforce conditions for current and former foster
youth; and
``(5) provide technical assistance to eligible entities in
applying for and administering a grant made under this section.
``(b) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may use amounts awarded
under a grant under subsection to provide--
``(1) job training or other workforce development
programming for eligible individuals;
``(2) comprehensive services, including counseling,
transportation, and child care, to participants in order to
facilitate successful completion of activities described in
paragraph (1);
``(3) training to businesses and employers who have
dedicated programs to hiring current or former foster youth;
and
``(4) training to workforce development professionals about
best practices for counseling and serving current or former
foster youth in training and successful, long-term job
placement.
``(c) Eligible Entity.--In this section, an eligible entity is
defined as--
``(1) a State;
``(2) a local government;
``(3) a labor organization;
``(4) a nonprofit organization that trains workers or
serves current or former foster youth;
``(5) an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101 or section 102(a)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965); or
``(6) a partnership of one or more of the above entities.
``(d) Eligible Individual.--In this section, an eligible individual
is defined as--
``(1) a youth older than 16 years of age who is aging out
of foster care; or
``(2) an individual older than 16 years of age who was in
foster care at any point after age 14 who is receiving services
under section 477 or section 477A of the Social Security Act.
``(e) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
``(f) Preference.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary may give priority to applications serving youth in areas with
the largest foster care populations.
``(g) Matching Funds.--The Secretary may not award a grant under
this section to an eligible entity unless the eligible entity agrees,
with respect to the costs to be incurred by the eligible entity in
carrying out the activities described in subsection (b), to make
available non-Federal contributions (in cash or in kind) toward such
costs in an amount that is not less than 10 percent of the total amount
of Federal funds provided in the grant.
``(h) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or
interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations
of the programs for which a grant is made under this section.
``(i) Reports.--
``(1) Eligible entity report.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible entity awarded a
grant under this section shall--
``(i) submit interim reports to the
Secretary on the activities carried out under
the project, including the number of
applications received and the number of
participants enrolled; and
``(ii) on the conclusion of the project, a
final report on the activities, including the
number of participants who successfully
completed the program.
``(B) Data requirement.--Each such report shall
include data on participant outcomes related to
earnings, employment, education, credential attainment,
participant demographics, and other data specified by
the Secretary.
``(2) Congressional report.--Not later than December 31 of
each year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
Committees of Congress a report for the preceding fiscal year
on--
``(A) the demographics of the participants in the
projects for which a grant is made under this section;
``(B) the rate of which project participants
completed all activities under the projects;
``(C) the employment credentials acquired by
project participants;
``(D) the employment of project participants on
completion of activities under the projects, and the
earnings of project participants at entry into
employment;
``(E) best practices and promising practices used
in the projects;
``(F) the nature of any technical assistance
provided to grantees under this section;
``(G) with respect to the period since the period
covered in the most recent prior report submitted under
this paragraph--
``(i) the number of applications submitted
under this section and the number of
applications that were approved; and
``(ii) the number of eligible individuals
who applied, enrolled, and remained enrolled in
programs operated by each eligible entity; and
``(H) the 10 individual applications not approved
for a grant under this section that showed the greatest
potential to meet the goals of this section, including
the estimated number of beneficiaries of each such
application.
``(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this
paragraph, the term `appropriate Committees of Congress'
means--
``(A) the Committee on Education and Labor of the
House of Representatives;
``(B) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
of Representatives;
``(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives;
``(D) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate;
``(E) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
``(F) the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate.
``(j) Appropriations.--To carry out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 11. FOSTER YOUTH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 301 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the following the new section:
``Sec. 4015. Foster care reporting
``(a) The Attorney General shall inquire of each individual
convicted of a Federal offense, including juveniles, if such individual
is currently or was at any point in foster care.
``(b) In the case of an individual convicted of a Federal offense
who is or was in foster care, the Attorney General shall further
inquire about the circumstances around and duration of the time spent
in foster care, except than the Attorney General shall inform each such
individual of the right to decline to answer, and an individual may
decline to answer any such inquiry.
``(c) Not later than December 31 of each year, the Attorney General
shall issue a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives, the Committee of Finance of the Senate, and the
Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the
Senate that includes--
``(1) the number of individuals convicted of a Federal
offense during the preceding year, disaggregated by--
``(A) the classification of the offense under
section 3559(a);
``(B) whether the offense was a crime of violence
(as such term is defined in section 16);
``(C) whether the offense was a felony drug offense
(as such term is defined in section 102 of the
Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802); and
``(D) whether the offense was committed by a
juvenile;
``(2) the number of individuals convicted of a Federal
offense during the preceding year who are or were in foster
care, disaggregated by the types of convictions described in
paragraph (1);
``(3) the number of individuals who were serving a term of
imprisonment for a Federal offense during the preceding year,
disaggregated by the types of convictions described in
paragraph (1);
``(4) the number of individuals who were serving a term of
imprisonment for a Federal offense during the preceding year
who, at the time of conviction, were in foster care, or were
previously in foster care at any point, disaggregated by the
types of convictions described in paragraph (1); and
``(5) the total cost of incarcerating individuals who were
in foster care at the time of conviction or previously were in
foster care at any point.
``(d) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Attorney General shall issue rules to implement this
section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 301 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
related to section 4014 the following:
``4015. Foster care reporting.''.
SEC. 12. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 1002 of the SUPPORT for
Patients and Communities Act (Public Law 115-271) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Coverage Continuity for Former Foster Care Children up to Age
26.--
``(1) In general.--Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)) is
amended--
``(A) in item (bb)--
``(i) by striking `are not described in or
enrolled under' and inserting `are not
described in and are not enrolled under'; and
``(ii) by adding `and' at the end;
``(B) in item (cc), by striking `responsibility of
the State' and all that follows through
`475(8)(B)(iii); and' and inserting `responsibility of
a State on the date of attaining 21 years of age, were
in such care at any age but subsequently left such care
to enter into a legal guardianship with a kinship
caregiver (without regard to whether kinship
guardianship payments are being made on behalf of the
child under part E of title IV), or were emancipated
from such care prior to attaining age 21;'; and
``(C) by striking item (dd).
``(2) 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 2020.''.
(b) Secretarial Notification Process.--Not later than January 1,
2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 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 (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.), shall have in place a process--
(1) to notify each foster child and each individual under
26 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 (42 U.S.C. 1396
et seq.) of the State in which such child or individual resides
(or under a waiver of such plan); and
(2) to provide each such child and individual with
information on how to submit an application to enroll in such
State plan (or under such a waiver).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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