A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act aims to change how States handle case planning for foster youth. It requires States to consider legal issues that impact housing, education, employment, and family connections. The bill also allows States to use funds from the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program to support access to legal services and counseling. This change involves updating the Social Security Act to include legal counseling access. The new requirements will take effect one year after the Act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The bill improves case planning processes for current foster youth.
- Scored +3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill supports the successful transition to adulthood for former foster youth through legal services and counseling.
- Scored +2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides legal support for foster youth who are often in low-income circumstances.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Case Planning: By requiring States to consider legal issues affecting housing, education, employment, and family connections, the bill aims to address specific obstacles faced by current and former foster youth (Section 2).
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Increased Access to Support: The bill provides States the option to use funds from the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program to support access to legal services and counseling (Section 2).
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Addressing Legal Barriers: The requirement for States to consider efforts needed to address issues like State court records, legal recognition of family relationships, and matters relating to custody and permanency could help youth navigate these specific legal hurdles (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text provided.
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 improves case planning processes for current foster youth. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill supports the successful transition to adulthood for former foster youth through legal services and counseling. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides legal support for foster youth who are often in low-income circumstances. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Improved case planning may assist those with specific legal needs within the foster system.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill expands access to legal counseling and considerations for legal issues like custody and permanency.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill helps foster youth by addressing legal issues affecting housing, employment, and family connections.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill addresses legal barriers to entry into employment for foster youth.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill requires case planning to consider legal issues affecting education for foster youth.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill allows for the use of funds to support access to counseling for foster youth.
- 5/11/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-640.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 0.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
David SchweikertRepublican · Arizona