S 4556 — Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html May 18, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies case plan requirements for children in foster care, enhancing the documentation and services provided to these children.

• 42 U.S.C. 675

  . → , including any services that meet the child's needs and are available to the child under the State program carried out pursuant to section 477.

  Adds a requirement for case plans to include services that meet the child's needs under the State program.

• 42 U.S.C. 675(5)

  D → a child's health and education record (as described in paragraph (1)(C)) is reviewed and updated, and a copy of the record is supplied to the foster parent or foster care provider with whom the child is placed, at the time of each placement of the child in foster care, and is supplied, free of cost, to-- (i) the foster parent or foster care provider with whom the child is placed, at the time of each placement of the child in foster care; (ii) the child, if the child has attained 14 years of age, at the time of each placement of the child in foster care or not less often than once every 12 months; and (iii) the child at the time the child leaves foster care if the child is leaving foster care by reason of having attained the age of majority under State law;

  Requires that children's health and education records be updated and provided to the child and foster parents at each placement.

• 42 U.S.C. 675(5)

  that is personalized and all that follows through ``; and → that-- (i) is personalized at the direction of the child, includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services; (ii) includes information about-- (I) the eligibility of former foster children for medical assistance under title XIX and on how to enroll in a State plan or waiver under such title for such assistance and on how to obtain assistance with enrolling in such plan or waiver; and (II) the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on behalf of the child if the child becomes unable to participate in such decisions and the child does not have, or does not want, a relative who would otherwise be authorized under State law to make such decisions; and (iii) provides the child with the option to execute a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar document recognized under State law, and is as detailed as the child may elect;

  Enhances the personalization of the services outlined in the case plan based on the child's direction.

• 42 U.S.C. 675(5)

  I → I) each child in foster care under the responsibility of the State who-- (i) has attained 14 years of age-- (I) is informed in an age-appropriate way of services available to the child under the State program carried out pursuant to section 477, including in every meeting between a caseworker and the child and at every court or administrative hearing held with respect to the child that requires the attendance of the child; and (II) receives without cost-- (aa) a copy of any consumer report (as defined in section 603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act) pertaining to the child, each year until the child is discharged from care, and assistance (including, when feasible, from any court-appointed advocate for the child) in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the consumer report; (bb) if the child is eligible to receive such document, an official or certified copy of the United States birth certificate of the child and a Social Security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, except that the child may request that 1 or both of such documents be safely retained by the State for any length of time while the child remains in foster care under the responsibility of the State; (cc) if the child is eligible to receive such a document, a driver's license or identification card issued by a State in accordance with the requirements of section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, or assistance with obtaining such license or card; and (dd) official documentation necessary to prove the child is in foster care; and

  Adds requirements for youth over 14 to be informed about available services and to receive essential documents and assistance related to their identity and foster care status.

• 42 U.S.C. 675a

  the case plan for any child in foster care under the responsibility of the State who has attained 14 years of age shall include-- → the case plan for any child in foster care under the responsibility of the State who has attained 14 years of age shall include--

  Adjusts the wording for clarity without changing the meaning.

Action History

1. May 18, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. May 18, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsors

• Ben Ray Luján · Cosponsor
• Chuck Grassley · Primary

Subjects