Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7343
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 556.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-02T21:06:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act (H.R. 7343)
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends section 477 of the Social Security Act to broaden access to education and workforce training for individuals who have experienced foster care. It aims to support these individuals by extending eligibility and allowable uses of program funds.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Updates terminology throughout the section to refer to youth who "experienced foster care at age 14 or older" instead of those who "aged out of foster care."
- Lowers the minimum age for certain program eligibility from 16 to 14 in multiple subsections.
- Extends the maximum participation period from 5 years to 6 years for youth engaged in remedial education activities.
- Expands the types of costs that program funds may cover, including:
- Attendance at institutions of higher education, community colleges, postsecondary vocational institutions, or short-term training programs eligible for the Workforce Pell program.
- Participation in apprenticeship programs.
- Obtaining a general equivalency degree (GED).
- Receiving remedial education.
- Adds a definition for "remedial education," specifying it as education or skill training not available through free local, state, or federal programs, provided by qualified instructors.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- The bill modifies eligibility criteria in section 477 by lowering the age threshold and broadening the definition of qualifying youth.
- It increases the scope of allowable expenses beyond traditional higher education to include apprenticeships, GED preparation, and remedial education.
- The participation cap is adjusted to accommodate extended timelines for remedial activities.
- These amendments take effect one year after the date of enactment.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: State and federal agencies administering child welfare and education programs may need to update eligibility tracking, funding allocation, and reporting systems to reflect the new age criteria and expanded allowable costs.
- Citizens: Individuals who experienced foster care at age 14 or older could gain increased access to education and training resources, potentially improving employment outcomes.
- No direct impacts on international relations are addressed in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation
- Youth who have experienced foster care, particularly those aged 14 and older.
- State child welfare agencies responsible for program implementation.
- Educational institutions, including community colleges, vocational programs, and apprenticeship providers.
- Federal agencies overseeing Social Security Act programs, such as the Department of Health and Human Services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within existing federal authority under the Social Security Act, with no apparent constitutional conflicts identified in the text.
- It introduces no new mandates on states beyond compliance with amended eligibility and funding rules.
- The changes emphasize expanded support for a specific vulnerable population without altering broader legal frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 556.
- 2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-639.
- 2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-639.
- 2026-04-29: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 2026-04-29: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (4 pages)
- Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act — issued 2026-05-11 — PDF (6 pages)