Bill · H.R. 8498· House(119-HR-8498)
Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act
- Introduced
- 4/27/2026
- Last activity
- 4/27/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Judy Chu
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act" aims to provide incentives for States to extend child welfare support to youth through age 21. It expands the definition of "youth" to include those in specific adoption or kinship guardianship agreements who have not yet reached age 22. The bill allows certain individuals who have attained age 18 to voluntarily re-enter foster care. Additionally, it mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services provide guidance and technical assistance to States regarding outreach. The Act also requires the development of guidance to connect eligible youth to workforce development programs.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill provides extended child welfare services and support for youth through age 21.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically targets the stability and workforce connection of young adults transitioning from foster care.
Is this likely to reduce homelessness?+5
The bill's findings indicate that extended foster care decreases the odds of being homeless or couch-surfing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Extended Support for Transitioning Youth: By allowing the term "youth" to include individuals up to age s (specifically those who have not attained 22 years of age), the bill provides a way to extend child welfare services through age 21 (Section 3).
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Increased Educational and Financial Stability: The bill's findings suggest that extended foster care is linked to higher high school completion rates, increased college enrollment, higher earnings, and increased money held in bank accounts (Section 2).
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Improved Social and Physical Security: According to the bill, extended care is associated with increased emotional and tangible support, decreased food insecurity, lower rates of homelessness or couch-surfing, reduced pregnancy rates, and a decreased likelihood of arrest (Section 2).
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Opportunities for Re-entry: The bill allows youth who have attained age 18 and meet specific requirements to voluntarily re-enter foster care, provided the State exercises the specific option (Section 4).
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Workforce Connection: The Act directs the development of guidance to help case workers connect eligible youth to workforce development programs (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly listed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Urban Residents+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Reduces Homelessness+5Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Social Security+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- 4/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Erin HouchinRepublican · Indiana