FOSTERING THE FUTURE ACT

On 2026-05-19, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7) delivered a floor speech titled "FOSTERING THE FUTURE ACT" in the House.

FOSTERING THE FUTURE ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3558-H3564] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FOSTERING THE FUTURE ACT Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7432) to amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to improve coordination with Federal housing assistance programs for youth who have experienced foster care, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7432 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Fostering the Future Act''. SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE. Section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(5), by striking ``aged out of foster care'' and inserting ``experienced foster care at age 14 or older''; (2) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``age out of foster care'' and inserting ``experience foster care at age 14 or older''; (3) in each of subsections (a)(6) and (i)(2), by striking ``16'' and inserting ``14''; (4) in subsection (i)(3), by striking ``in no event may a youth participate in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive)'' and inserting ``may not allow a youth to participate in the program for more than 5 years (or, in the case of a youth who was involved in a remedial education activity referred to in paragraph (4)(B), for more than 6 years), whether or not consecutive''; (5) in subsection (i)(4)-- (A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: ``(A) may be available for the cost of attendance-- ``(i) at an institution of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including a community college or postsecondary vocational institution; or ``(ii) at a short-term training program that is eligible for the Workforce Pell program under section 401(k), as described in section 481(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088(b)(3)), as added by section 83002(b) of Public Law 119-21;''; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as so amended, the following: ``(B) may be available for costs-- ``(i) associated with participation in an apprenticeship program; ``(ii) to obtain a general equivalency degree; or ``(iii) to receive remedial education; and''; and (6) in subsection (i), by adding at the end the following: ``(7) In this section, the term `remedial education' means education or skill training needed to support obtaining a high school diploma or qualifying for postsecondary education, training, or an apprenticeship that is-- ``(A) not already available through the school district of the student or another free local, State, or Federal program; and ``(B) is provided by an instructor with credentials relevant to the subject area of instruction, as determined by the State.''. SEC. 3. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHER AMOUNT AND PROVISION OF GREATER SUPPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH PURSUING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. (a) In General.--Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by striking ``that program'' and inserting ``that education or training program, (except that the State may establish a grace period to allow a youth to continue participation in activities described in paragraph (4)(A), after an assessment and consultation with the youth, if the State determines that reasonable circumstances warrant the grace period)''; and (B) by striking ``the program'' and inserting ``the voucher program''; and (2) in paragraph (4)(C) (as so redesignated by section 2(5)(C) of this Act), by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$12,000''. (b) Guidance.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with youth who have experienced foster care, shall develop and issue model guidance to States and jurisdictions receiving allotments under section 477(c) of the Social Security [[Page H3559]] Act for implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a)(1) of this section. SEC. 4. IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AND YOUTH AWARENESS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHERS. (a) In General.--Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)), as amended by section 2(6) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(8) The State shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that eligible youth are aware of potential benefits provided under this subsection, including by coordinating with programs funded under subsection (h)(1). ``(9) The program shall include a simplified, user-tested, and standard form for youth to use to apply for vouchers under the program, using standard terminology, that is easily accessible and available electronically.''. (b) Use of Funds.--Section 477(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(d)(1)) is amended to read as follows: ``(1) In general.--A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c)(1) may use the amount in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this section, including outreach related to subsection (i)(8). A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c)(3) may use the amount for any purpose related to the program described in subsection (i)(8).''. SEC. 5. IMPROVING ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR FOSTER YOUTH. Section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(1)-- (A) by striking ``and preventive'' and inserting ``preventive''; and (B) by inserting ``, and access to housing for youth age 18 or older'' before the semicolon; (2) in subsection (a)(4), by inserting ``current and'' before ``former''; (3) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by inserting ``, including by collaborating with public housing agencies that administer Federal housing programs serving foster youth under section 8(x)(2)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and receive funding to partner with public child welfare agencies to serve youth who have experienced foster care'' before the period; (4) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by striking ``not more than 30 percent of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) for a fiscal year'' and inserting ``an average of not more than 30 percent of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) for the 5 fiscal years covered by the application submitted by the State pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection''; (5) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following: ``(6) Housing supportive services.-- ``(A) In general.--A State may use amounts from its allotment under subsection (c) to provide supportive services to assist eligible youth who experienced foster care to obtain or retain suitable housing. ``(B) Definitions.-- ``(i) Eligible youth.--In this subsection, the term `eligible youth' means an individual who receives assistance provided under section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. ``(ii) Supportive services.--The term `supportive services' may include-- ``(I) basic life skills information and counseling on financial literacy, use of credit, and money management; ``(II) counseling on rental lease contracts and assistance with rental insurance; and ``(III) assistance with security deposits, utility connection fees, moving costs, and other fees associated with establishing tenancy. ``(C) Exception.--Expenditures in accordance with this paragraph shall not be considered expenditures for room and board for purposes of subsection (b)(3)(B). ``(D) Aligning age eligibility.--Notwithstanding subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), a State may use funds from its allotment under subsection (c) to provide supportive services to eligible youth who have not attained 26 years of age for the purpose of supporting continued access to housing.''; and (6) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting ``access to housing,'' before ``and personal''. SEC. 6. JOINT AGENCY GUIDANCE. (a) In General.--Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall develop and issue joint guidance to State public child welfare agencies and public housing authorities to improve alignment and coordination of housing supportive services provided under section 477 of the Social Security Act and housing assistance provided under section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (b) Contents.--The joint guidance shall include the following: (1) Clarification and alignment of Federal policies to improve access to housing for youth who have experienced foster care, including youth who are in independent living arrangements while in extended foster care. (2) Guidance on State use of funds provided under section 477 of the Social Security Act for supportive services (as defined in subsection (d)(6) of such section) to improve access to housing programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (3) Best practices for building partnerships between public child welfare agencies and public housing authorities, including ways to improve access to supportive services. (4) Additional information the Secretaries deem necessary to effectively coordinate Federal programs serving current and former foster youth. (c) Production.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall designate an official of the Department of Health and Human Services to lead development of the joint guidance in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS. Within 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and

Referenced legislation: HR7432, HR7432