Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7463 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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.


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                    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 Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Foster Youth Postsecondary Education 
Access and Success Act''.

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 Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 677(i)) 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 subsection 
                (i)(4)(A), after an assessment and consultation with 
                the youth, if the State determines that reasonable 
                circumstances warrant the grace period),'';
                    (B) by striking ``that program'' and inserting 
                ``that education or training program''; and
                    (C) by striking ``the program'' and inserting ``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 experienced foster care, shall develop 
and issue model guidance to States and jurisdictions receiving 
allotments under section 477(c) of the Social Security Act for 
implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a)(1) of this 
section.

SEC. 3. 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)) 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 benefits provided 
        under this subsection, including by coordinating 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 standard terminology, that is easily 
        accessible and available 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 
        (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 described 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.
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