Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7655
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act (H.R. 7655)
Purpose
The legislation aims to enhance support services for young people who have aged out of foster care and are expectant (pregnant) or parenting, by improving coordination between the Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (under section 477 of the Social Security Act) and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV, under section 511). This helps connect these youth to evidence-based home visiting services that provide parenting support, health guidance, and family resources.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Program Purposes (Section 477(a)): Adds a new goal to link foster youth in "eligible families" (as defined in section 511, typically first-time parents) with MIECHV home visiting and support services.
- State Application Requirements (Section 477(b)(3)): Requires states to certify they have processes to inform participating foster youth about available MIECHV services in their state.
- Use of Funds (Section 477(d)(1)): Allows states to use allocated funds specifically for tailored case management and resource coordination services targeted at expectant or parenting foster youth, or for any other activities that meet the program's overall goals.
- Effective Date: Amendments take effect 1 year after enactment and apply to state plans approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on or after that date.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- New Purpose Clause: Inserts an eighth purpose in section 477(a) explicitly prioritizing connections to MIECHV services, building on existing goals like education and employment support.
- Mandatory State Certification: Adds a new requirement (subparagraph (L)) for states seeking funding, ensuring proactive information-sharing about home visiting programs.
- Refined Fund Usage: Replaces broad language in section 477(d)(1) with options for specialized case management focused on parenting youth, while retaining flexibility for other supportive uses.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: States must update processes and certifications for Chafee program funding, potentially increasing administrative workload for child welfare agencies and HHS oversight. Could lead to better integration of federal programs.
- Citizens: Expectant and parenting former foster youth (typically ages 18-23) gain easier access to home visiting services, which may improve parenting skills, child health outcomes, and family stability, reducing risks like child welfare involvement.
- International Relations: None, as this is a domestic social welfare measure.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Former Foster Youth: Primary beneficiaries, especially those who are expectant or parenting, receiving better access to tailored support.
- State Child Welfare Agencies: Responsible for implementing changes, certifications, and service coordination.
- HHS and MIECHV Providers: Oversee program alignment; home visiting organizations may see increased referrals.
- Families and Children: Indirectly benefit from stronger parental supports.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal funding conditions without mandating services, preserving state flexibility under cooperative federalism (where states manage programs with federal dollars). No new entitlements created.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to support vulnerable populations.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., Reps. Yakym, Davis, Buchanan, Schweikert); focuses on a non-controversial area of child welfare, potentially appealing across aisles by addressing foster care outcomes without major new spending. Reported from House Ways and Means Committee with amendments, indicating refinement for passage.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.
- 2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-641.
- 2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-641.
- 2026-04-29: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
- 2026-04-29: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-02-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act — issued 2026-02-24 — PDF (4 pages)
- Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act — issued 2026-05-11 — PDF (6 pages)