IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 509 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the rights 
of youth in the foster care system. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 14, 2023 
Mr. CLEAVER (for himself, Mr. BACON, Ms. BROWN, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. 
CARTER of Louisiana, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Ms. CLARKE of 
New York, Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. EVANS, Ms. 
LOIS FRANKEL of Florida, Mrs. FOUSHEE, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. 
GRIJALVA, Mrs. HOUCHIN, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE, 
Mr. KHANNA, Ms. LEE of California, Mrs. MCCLELLAN, Ms. MOORE of 
Wisconsin, Mr. MOSKOWITZ, Mr. MULLIN, Ms. NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. 
PORTER, Ms. SA´NCHEZ, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. SEWELL, and Mr. HILL) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to 
support the rights of youth in the foster care system. 
Whereas a 2016 report from the American Bar Association 
found that only 50 percent of foster children graduate 
from high school; 
Whereas a report from the First Star Institute gave 11 
States ‘‘D’’ or ‘‘F’’ grades on their legal rights for foster 
youth; 
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•HRES 509 IH 
Whereas a Casey Family Programs study of foster children 
in Oregon and Washington revealed that one-third of fos-
ter youth reported abuse by their foster parent or an-
other household adult; 
Whereas a study from the Department of Health and Human 
Services found that Black, brown, and indigenous chil-
dren are overrepresented in the foster system and less 
likely to be adopted than other children, and nearly 90 
percent of foster youth have experienced trauma; 
Whereas experts agree that social workers offer critical sup-
port to both foster youth and families, ensuring a healthy 
living environment; 
Whereas a Johns Hopkins University study found that foster 
children in group homes are 28 times more likely to be 
sexually abused than other children; 
Whereas a National Institutes of Health study found that ex-
tensive informed consent requirements for low-risk activi-
ties may leave foster children at a higher risk for poor 
physical and mental health outcomes; 
Whereas a 2018 analysis from the Medicaid and CHIP Pay-
ment and Access Commission (MACPAC) found that only 
54 percent of insured foster youth received mental health 
treatment after experiencing a depressive episode; and 
Whereas a 2015 Journal of Public Child Welfare report 
found that sibling separation exacerbates trauma and 
slows adjustment to their new home: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that foster youth should have the— 
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•HRES 509 IH 
(1) right to receive an education and remain in 
their original school, if desired; 
(2) right to participate in extracurricular, cul-
tural, and social activities appropriate to the youth’s 
age and developmental needs; 
(3) right to receive needed health services, in-
cluding medical, dental, vision, and mental health 
services; 
(4) right to freedom from abuse, neglect, or 
corporal punishment; 
(5) right to be represented by, and speak to, a 
guardian or attorney ad litem; 
(6) right to adequate and healthy food, ade-
quate clothing, and a safe and comfortable living en-
vironment; 
(7) right to freedom from discrimination based 
on race, gender, religion, or disability; 
(8) right to have continued contact with sib-
lings, if desired; 
(9) right to regular or at least reasonable con-
tact with their assigned caseworker or an employee 
of the agency responsible for their child welfare serv-
ices; and 
(10) right to be informed of their rights. 
Æ 
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