Summary

Requires state chief executives to certify that foster care case planning and related processes account for legal issues that affect current and former foster youth’s housing, education, entry into employment, and family connections, including matters involving court records and legal recognition of family relationships. The change is added to the federal law governing Chafee-style independent living plans and applies to plans approved under that law starting one year after enactment, with a limited compliance delay for states that must pass new legislation to conform.

Key Points

• Requires State chief executives to certify that foster-care case planning addresses specific legal issues affecting current and former foster youth.
• Legal issues to be considered include impacts on housing, education, entry into employment, and family connections.
• Certification must address efforts to resolve matters related to court records, legal recognition of family relationships, custody, and permanency.
• Amends the federal provisions governing State independent-living/transition plans under the Social Security Act.
• Becomes effective one year after enactment and applies to State plans approved on or after that date.
• States that need to pass new laws to comply receive a delayed compliance deadline tied to their next regular legislative session.
• Does not create new federal funding or agencies; it adds a condition for plan approval/payment under the existing program.
• Intended to reduce legal barriers that hamper foster youth’s stable housing, education, employment, and family ties.
• May require coordination between child welfare agencies, courts, education and housing systems, and employers.
• Could impose administrative and legislative work for States to update plans and processes; implementation costs are not explicitly funded.

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