Bill · S. 4556· Senate(119-S-4556)
Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/18/2026
- Last activity
- 5/18/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026 aims to modify case plan requirements for children in foster care by amending the Social Security Act. It requires that a child's health and education records be updated and provided to foster parents or the children themselves under certain age conditions. The bill mandates that transition plans include specific options for housing, health insurance, and employment, as well as information on medical assistance and health care decision-making. Additionally, it requires states to provide children with vital documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, and consumer reports. These changes are designed to ensure foster youth are better informed of their rights and available services.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would children be better off under this?+7
The bill provides significant protections and information-sharing requirements for children in foster care.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill assists foster youth by providing vital identity documents and consumer report assistance at no cost.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill provides foster youth with copies of consumer reports and assistance in resolving inaccuracies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Vital Records: Children in foster care may receive a copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card, and a driver's license or identification card at no cost (Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)(II)).
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Financial Transparency: Youth are provided with a copy of any consumer report pertaining to them every year until discharge, along with help to fix inaccuracies (Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)(II)(aa)).
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Improved Information Sharing: Foster parents and children are provided with updated health and education records at the time of placement (Section 2(a)(1)(D)).
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Enhanced Transition Support: Transition plans are required to include specific options for housing, health insurance, education, and employment (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i)).
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Empowerment through Rights Awareness: Children aged 14 and older must be informed of available services in an age-appropriate way during meetings and hearings (Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)(I)).
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Medical Decision-Making Security: The bill provides information on how to designate another individual to make health care treatment decisions if a child is unable to do so (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- State Legislation Delays: If a state requires new legislation to meet these requirements, there may be a delay in the implementation of these new protections until after the next regular session of the State legislature (Section 2(c)(2)).
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+7Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Students+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+4Increases Medicaid Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5Increases Job Creation+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3Improves Affordable Housing+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+2
- 5/18/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico