The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5419, aims to expand eligibility for postsecondary education benefits for certain youth under the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Specifically, it defines "postsecondary education program" as any program leading to an academic degree or vocational certification and outlines the funding programs available for youth committed to DCF or adopted before their eighteenth birthday. The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Children and Families amend existing policies to allow an extension of eligibility for youth whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that while the DCF will provide funding for eligible youth, it does not require the continuation of case management services for those who begin receiving funding after turning twenty-one. The new provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to support foster and adopted youth in overcoming educational disruptions caused by the pandemic. The bill does not include any deletions from current law, as it primarily introduces new language to enhance support for affected youth.