H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 12C.9: Fostering Success/Extend Foster Care to 21 Years of Age (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Sec. 12C.9 of S.L. 2015-241 does all of the following:

• Extends foster care benefits to a person until the age of 21 who meets one of the following requirements: (i) is completing high school or a GED, (ii) is enrolled in a college or vocational program, (iii) is participating in an employment program, (iv) is employed for at least 80 hours per month, or (v) is unable to complete one of the above requirements due to a medical condition or disability. This provision becomes effective January 1, 2017, and applies to agreements entered into on or after that date.
• Provides that an individual over age 18 receiving benefits may be approved to reside in a college dormitory or other semi-supervised housing. This provision becomes effective January 1, 2017, and applies to agreements entered into on or after that date.
• Effective January 1, 2017, extends adoption assistance benefits to age 21 for juveniles adopted after age 16 but prior to age 18 as required by federal law and authorizes the Social Services Commission to adopt rules to implement the increase in benefits to age 21.
• Effective January 1, 2017, amends the juvenile code statutes to create a review of voluntary foster care placements with young adults.
• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop a plan for the expansion of foster care benefits to age 21 and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division by March 1, 2016, on plan development and again by March 1, 2017, on plan implementation. DHHS must submit a State plan amendment no later than 30 days after implementation to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

Except as otherwise provided, this section became effective September 18, 2015.