I 
119TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7463 
To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to increase the maximum 
education and training voucher amount and provide greater support 
for foster youth pursuing postsecondary education. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 10, 2026 
Ms. CHU (for herself and Mr. MORAN) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to increase 
the maximum education and training voucher amount 
and provide greater support for foster youth pursuing 
postsecondary education. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Foster Youth Postsec-
ondary Education Access and Success Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. 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 Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘training program’’ and in-
serting ‘‘training program (except that the 
State may establish a grace period to allow a 
youth to continue participation in activities de-
scribed in subsection (i)(4)(A), after an assess-
ment and consultation with the youth, if the 
State determines that reasonable circumstances 
warrant the grace period),’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘that program’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘that education or training program’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘the program’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the voucher program’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘$5,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$12,000’’. 
(b) GUIDANCE.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, in consultation with youth who have ex-
perienced foster care, shall develop and issue model guid-
ance to States and jurisdictions receiving allotments under 
section 477(c) of the Social Security Act for implementa-
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tion of the amendment made by subsection (a)(1) of this 
section. 
SEC. 3. IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AND YOUTH AWARE-
NESS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCH-
ERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 477(i) of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(7) The State shall make reasonable efforts to 
ensure that eligible youth are aware of potential ben-
efits provided under this subsection, including by co-
ordinating with programs funded under subsection 
(h)(1). 
‘‘(8) The program shall include a simplified, 
user-tested, and standard form for youth to use to 
apply for vouchers under the program, using stand-
ard terminology, that is easily accessible and avail-
able electronically.’’. 
(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 
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(i)(7). 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 de-
scribed in subsection (i)(7).’’. 
SEC. 4. 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. 
Æ 
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