Bill · S. 4634· Senate(119-S-4634)
CONNECT Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Jon Husted
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``CONNECT Act,'' seeks to amend section 477 of the Social Security Act. It aims to update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood. The updates are intended to reflect research and input from youth regarding the importance of long-term relationships. The bill focuses on helping youth aged 14 or older develop sustained, supportive relationships with adults, mentors, and peers. It also seeks to support youth in exercising rights regarding their permanency plans.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically aims to help children aged 14 or older in foster care develop sustained relationships and support networks.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4
The bill focuses on the transition to adulthood by providing tools for establishing lifelong connections and permanency goals.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
By supporting youth in the foster care system, the bill provides resources to those in vulnerable economic positions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Development of Lifelong Connections: The bill aims to help children in foster care (age 14 or older) develop and maintain sustained, supportive relationships with adults, mentors, and peers to reduce isolation and create support networks (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Support for Permanency Goals: The bill seeks to support youth still in foster care (age 14 or older) in exercising rights to participate in developing their permanency plan and receiving written information about available services (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Enhanced Peer and Family Support: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue guidance including best practices for facilitating peer support, mentoring, and connections such as sibling, tribal, and community connections (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Improved Outreach and Referrals: The guidance will include standards of outreach to ensure eligible youth, including those with a planned permanent living arrangement, receive referrals to appropriate programs and services (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated 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+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Native Americans+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 7/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico