A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Foster Care Stabilization Act of 2026 aims to amend title IV of the Social Security Act. It establishes a demonstration grant program to provide emergency relief to foster youth. These grants are intended for foster care stabilization agencies to improve pre-placement services. The Secretary will award three grants of up to $1,000,000 each. Agencies have three years to spend the awarded funds before returning any remaining money.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides direct emergency relief, food, and clothing for foster youth.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill mandates special dissemination efforts to ensure Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations can access grant opportunities.
- Scored +4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill supports foster youth up to the age of 26 through improved pre-placement services and emergency relief.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes the expenditure of up to $3,000,000 in new demonstration grants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Emergency Relief and Service Improvement: Foster care stabilization agencies can use funds to provide emergency relief and improve services for youth waiting for placement (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)).
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Employment Opportunities: Funds may be used for the hiring of personnel needed to provide assistance and ensure resources reach foster youth (Section s 2, subsection (d)(5)(A)).
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Personal Necessities: The bill allows for the provision of clothing and other personal necessities for a total not exceeding $250 per foster youth, per year (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)(B)).
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Food Security: Grants can be used to purchase food and equipment necessary for preparing food for foster youth (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)(C)).
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Safety and Support: Funds can provide service and support to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect, as well as other assistance to promote safety and self-sufficiency (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)(D) and (E)).
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Targeted Outreach: The Secretary will make special dissemination efforts for grant applications to rural areas, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations (Section 2, subsection (d)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Limits on Necessities: There is a cap of $250 per foster youth, per year, for the provision of clothing and other personal necessities (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)(B)).
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Time Constraints on Funding: Agencies that receive a grant must spend the funds within 3 years or return any unused amounts to the Secretary (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides direct emergency relief, food, and clothing for foster youth. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates special dissemination efforts to ensure Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations can access grant opportunities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides direct financial support for necessities like food and clothing to foster youth in need. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill supports foster youth up to the age of 26 through improved pre-placement services and emergency relief. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill requires special dissemination efforts to ensure rural areas can apply for the stabilization grants.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill includes special dissemination efforts to reach Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides emergency relief through food, clothing, and personal necessities for foster youth.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill allows grant funds to be used for the hiring of personnel to provide emergency relief and services to foster youth. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes the expenditure of up to $3,000,000 in new demonstration grants.
- 2/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania