Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the rights of youth in the foster care system.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 509 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 509

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the 
               rights of youth in the foster care system.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 14, 2023

   Mr. Cleaver (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Brown, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. 
Carter of Louisiana, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Clarke of New York, 
 Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Evans, Ms. Lois Frankel of 
Florida, Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Houchin, 
Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Lee of California, 
Mrs. McClellan, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Mullin, Ms. 
Norton, Mr. Payne, Ms. Porter, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Sewell, and 
Mr. Hill) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the 
               rights of youth in the foster care system.

Whereas a 2016 report from the American Bar Association found that only 50 
        percent of foster children graduate from high school;
Whereas a report from the First Star Institute gave 11 States ``D'' or ``F'' 
        grades on their legal rights for foster youth;
Whereas a Casey Family Programs study of foster children in Oregon and 
        Washington revealed that one-third of foster youth reported abuse by 
        their foster parent or another household adult;
Whereas a study from the Department of Health and Human Services found that 
        Black, brown, and indigenous children are overrepresented in the foster 
        system and less likely to be adopted than other children, and nearly 90 
        percent of foster youth have experienced trauma;
Whereas experts agree that social workers offer critical support to both foster 
        youth and families, ensuring a healthy living environment;
Whereas a Johns Hopkins University study found that foster children in group 
        homes are 28 times more likely to be sexually abused than other 
        children;
Whereas a National Institutes of Health study found that extensive informed 
        consent requirements for low-risk activities may leave foster children 
        at a higher risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes;
Whereas a 2018 analysis from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission 
        (MACPAC) found that only 54 percent of insured foster youth received 
        mental health treatment after experiencing a depressive episode; and
Whereas a 2015 Journal of Public Child Welfare report found that sibling 
        separation exacerbates trauma and slows adjustment to their new home: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
foster youth should have the--
            (1) right to receive an education and remain in their 
        original school, if desired;
            (2) right to participate in extracurricular, cultural, and 
        social activities appropriate to the youth's age and 
        developmental needs;
            (3) right to receive needed health services, including 
        medical, dental, vision, and mental health services;
            (4) right to freedom from abuse, neglect, or corporal 
        punishment;
            (5) right to be represented by, and speak to, a guardian or 
        attorney ad litem;
            (6) right to adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, 
        and a safe and comfortable living environment;
            (7) right to freedom from discrimination based on race, 
        gender, religion, or disability;
            (8) right to have continued contact with siblings, if 
        desired;
            (9) right to regular or at least reasonable contact with 
        their assigned caseworker or an employee of the agency 
        responsible for their child welfare services; and
            (10) right to be informed of their rights.
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