To temporarily modify the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-hr-6766
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2020-05-08
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care

Child safety and welfare

Elementary and secondary education

Employment and training programs

Family services

Health care coverage and access

Higher education

Housing and community development funding

Low- and moderate-income housing

Medicaid

Student aid and college costs
Latest action: action_date: 2020-05-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-05-08
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill expands through FY2021 foster-care programs for older youth. Among other changes, the bill (1) increases the federal proportion of funding for foster-care services, (2) extends eligibility for such services through age 25, (3) suspends the limit on state expenditures on housing for youth who have aged out of foster care, and (4) suspends the five-year time limit on eligibility for older youth to receive education and training vouchers.</p> <p>Additionally, state agencies must conduct outreach for enrollment in Medicaid to eligible individuals who have aged out of foster care.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6766 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 8, 2020 Mr. Langevin (for himself, Mr. Bacon , Ms. Bass , and Mr. Mullin ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce , and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To temporarily modify the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood in response to the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

1. Temporary modifications to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood in response to the COVID–19 pandemic (a) Increase in funding (1) Generally The dollar amount specified in section 477(h)(1) of the Social Security Act for fiscal year 2020 is deemed to be $483,000,000— (A) of which $340,000,000 shall be available through the end of fiscal year 2021 for the purpose described in section 477(a)(4) of such Act; and (B) the remainder of which shall be available as provided in such section 477(h)(1). (2) Education and training vouchers The dollar amount specified in section 477(h)(2) of the Social Security Act for fiscal year 2020 is deemed to be $220,000,000— (A) of which $160,000,000 is authorized to be available through the end of fiscal year 2021 for the purpose described in section 477(a)(5) of such Act; and (B) the remainder of which is authorized to be available as provided in such section 477(h)(2). (b) Inapplicability of state matching requirement to additional funds (1) In general In making payments under subsections (a)(4) and (e) of section 474 of the Social Security Act from the additional funds, the percentage specified in subsections (a)(4)(A)(i) and (e)(1) of such section are, respectively, deemed to be 100 percent. (2) Additional funds defined In paragraph (1) of this subsection, the term additional funds means the amounts deemed by subsection (a) of this section to be specified in each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 477(h) of the Social Security Act, to the extent the amount involved exceeds the amount specified in the respective paragraph without regard to such subsection (a). (c) Full and expeditious disbursement of funds The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall fully disburse the amounts payable to States under subsections (a)(4) and (e) of section 474 of the Social Security Act, and the amounts payable to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia under section 477(j) of such Act, for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as expeditiously as possible. (d) Maximum age limitation on eligibility for assistance During fiscal years 2020 and 2021, a child may be eligible for services and assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act until the child attains 26 years of age, notwithstanding any contrary certification made under such section. (e) Waiver of limitations on percentage of funds used for housing assistance; eligibility for funds Notwithstanding sections 477(b)(3)(B) and 477(b)(3)(C) of the Social Security Act, a State may use more than 30 percent of the funds paid to the State from its allotment under section 477(c) of such Act for fiscal year 2020 for room or board, and the funds may be used for youth eligible for services under section 477 of such Act who have attained 18 years of age and who experienced foster care at 14 years of age or older. (f) Elimination of certain requirements Section 477(i)(3) of the Social Security Act shall have no force or effect during fiscal year 2020 or 2021. 2. Medicaid outreach The agency of each State that is responsible for administering the State plan approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, in consultation with such other agencies as are appropriate or interested, shall establish and conduct an outreach program designed to increase the enrollment of individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan approved under title XIX of such Act by reason of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of such Act. 3. Temporary increase in funding for HUD family unification program In addition to any amounts otherwise made available for fiscal year 2021 for the family unification program under section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f(x) ), there is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021, $20,000,000 for assistance under such section for use only for youths eligible for such assistance under paragraph (2)(B) of such section.