CONNECT Act

Bill Number: H.R. 7995
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. 559.
Last Updated: 2026-06-17T20:28:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The CONNECT Act (H.R. 7995) updates the goals of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to emphasize building and maintaining long-term supportive relationships, based on research and input from youth who have lived in foster care. This aims to help these youth reduce isolation and create lifelong support networks as they transition to adulthood.

Key Provisions

Amendments to Program Purposes (Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act):
Adds new priorities:
Assist youth who entered foster care at age 14 or older in developing sustained relationships with adults (like family-like kin not serving as caregivers, mentors) and peers (including other foster youth).
Support youth still in foster care in using their rights to help shape their permanency plan (a roadmap for stable living), receive written service information, and access peer support, mentoring, kin connections, and referrals.
Effective 1 year after enactment.
Guidance from HHS Secretary (within 1 year of enactment, after consulting foster youth):
Examples of fundable services (e.g., individual, family, peer support during reunification, guardianship, or adoption).
Best practices for peer/mentor programs, including training standards and support for sibling, tribal, or community ties.
Outreach standards to notify eligible youth (including those with planned permanent living arrangements).
Documentation protocols for relationship-building in case plans, for court reviews.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Restructures Section 477(a) by removing one paragraph, renumbering others, and inserting two new ones focused on relationships—shifting emphasis from prior goals to lifelong connections and rights participation.
Requires HHS guidance to standardize implementation across states and tribes, which was not previously mandated.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: State and Tribal child welfare agencies must align programs with new priorities, potentially increasing administrative tasks for guidance compliance and documentation; HHS gains responsibility for issuing guidance.
Citizens: Foster youth (age 14+) may gain better access to mentors, peers, and kin, improving transition success (e.g., less isolation, stronger support networks).
No direct international relations impact.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Foster youth (especially those aging out or in care at 14+).
Child welfare agencies (states, tribes) administering the program.
HHS (provides guidance).
Mentors, peers, kin, and support providers (new funding/service opportunities).
Courts (review updated case plans).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Enhances existing rights under Section 475A (youth input in plans) without creating new mandates; ensures federal funding aligns with relationship-building via case reviews (Section 475(5)).
Constitutional: No apparent issues; supports child welfare without infringing rights.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats and Republicans); reported out of committee with amendments, signaling House progress toward floor vote.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]

Recent Actions

2026-05-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 559.
2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-642.
2026-05-11: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-642.
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
2026-03-19: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
2026-03-19: Introduced in House
2026-03-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act — issued 2026-03-19 — PDF (4 pages)
Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act — issued 2026-05-11 — PDF (6 pages)