S. 4314

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4314 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4314

To amend the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Program for Successful 
Transition to Adulthood to increase the maximum education and training 
voucher amount, provide greater support for foster youth pursuing 
postsecondary education, and expand education and workforce training 
opportunities for youth who have experienced foster care, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 16 (legislative day, April 14), 2026

Mr. Daines (for himself and Ms. Hassan) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Program for Successful 
Transition to Adulthood to increase the maximum education and training 
voucher amount, provide greater support for foster youth pursuing 
postsecondary education, and expand education and workforce training 
opportunities for youth who have experienced foster care, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Foster Youth Education and Workforce 
Opportunity Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 
YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE.

Section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(5) by striking ``aged out of foster 
care'' and inserting ``experienced foster care at age 14 or 
older'';
(2) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``age out of foster 
care'' and inserting ``experience foster care at age 14 or 
older'';
(3) in each of subsections (a)(6) and (i)(2), by striking 
``16'' and inserting ``14''; and
(4) in subsection (i)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``in no event may 
a youth participate in the program for more than 5 
years (whether or not consecutive)'' and inserting 
``may not allow a youth to participate in the voucher 
program for more than 5 years (or, in the case of a 
youth who was involved in a remedial education activity 
referred to in paragraph (4)(B)(iii), for more than 6 
years), whether or not consecutive'';
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
follows:
``(A) may be available for the cost of attendance--
``(i) at an institution of higher 
education, as defined in section 102 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965, including a 
community college or postsecondary vocational 
institution; or
``(ii) at a short-term training program 
that is eligible for the Workforce Pell program 
under section 401(k) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965, as described in section 481(b)(3) 
of such Act, as added by section 83002(b) of 
Public Law 119-21;'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C);
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A), 
as so amended, the following:
``(B) may be available for costs--
``(i) associated with participation in a 
registered apprenticeship program;
``(ii) to obtain a general equivalency 
degree; or
``(iii) to receive remedial education; 
and''; and
(iv) in subparagraph (C), as so 
redesignated, by striking ``that Act'' and 
inserting ``the Higher Education Act of 1965''; 
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) In this section--
``(A) the term `remedial education' means education 
or skill training needed to support obtaining a high 
school diploma or qualifying for postsecondary 
education, training, or a registered apprenticeship 
that is--
``(i) not provided by the local educational 
agency of the student or another free local, 
State, or Federal program; and
``(ii) is provided by an instructor with 
credentials relevant to the subject area of 
instruction, as determined by the State; and
``(B) the term `registered apprenticeship' means an 
apprenticeship program registered either by a State 
apprenticeship agency recognized by the Secretary of 
Labor or the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Act of 
August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the `National 
Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 
U.S.C. 50 et seq.).''.

SEC. 3. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHER AMOUNT AND 
PROVISION OF GREATER SUPPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH PURSUING 
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

(a) In General.--Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 677(i)), as amended by section 2, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``training program'' and inserting 
``training program (except that the State may establish 
a grace period to allow a youth to continue 
participation in activities described in paragraph 
(4)(A), after an assessment and consultation with the 
youth, if the State determines that reasonable 
circumstances warrant the grace period),''; and
(B) by striking ``that program'' and inserting 
``that education or training program''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``$5,000'' and 
inserting ``$12,000''.
(b) Guidance.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 
consultation with youth who have experienced foster care, shall develop 
and issue model guidance to States and jurisdictions receiving 
allotments under section 477(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
677(c)) for implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 4. IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AND YOUTH AWARENESS OF EDUCATION AND 
TRAINING VOUCHERS.

(a) In General.--Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 677(i)), as amended by sections 2 and 3, is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
``(8) The State shall make reasonable efforts to ensure 
that eligible youth are aware of potential benefits provided 
under this subsection, including by coordinating with programs 
funded under subsection (h)(1).
``(9) The program shall include a simplified, user-tested, 
and standard form for youth to use to apply for vouchers under 
the program, using standard terminology, that is easily 
accessible and available electronically.
``(10) The State may use funds otherwise available under 
this subsection to assist eligible youth in overcoming 
transportation barriers that limit access to postsecondary 
education, workforce training, registered apprenticeships, or 
employment.''.
(b) Use of Funds.--Section 477(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
677(d)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--A State to which an amount is paid from 
its allotment under subsection (c)(1) may use the amount in any 
manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes 
of this section, including outreach related to subsection 
(i)(8). A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment 
under subsection (c)(3) may use the amount for any purpose 
related to the program described in subsection (i)(8).''.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that 
is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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