[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7995 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 559
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7995
[Report No. 119-642]
To update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for
Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of
youth with lived experience about the importance of long-term
relationships to future success.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 19, 2026
Ms. Moore of Wisconsin (for herself and Mr. Carey) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
May 11, 2026
Additional sponsors: Mr. Davis of Illinois and Mr. Schweikert
May 11, 2026
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as printed in the House
of Representatives on March 19, 2026]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for
Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of
youth with lived experience about the importance of long-term
relationships to future success.
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 ``Chafee Opportunities for New
Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act'' or the ``CONNECT Act''.
SEC. 2. UPDATING THE PURPOSES OF THE JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM
FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD.
(a) Updating of Purposes.--
(1) In general.--Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 677(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (3) through
(7) as paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after ``conducted--'' the
following:
``(1) to help children who have experienced foster care at
age 14 or older to develop and maintain sustained, supportive
relationships with adults (including kin or fictive kin who are
not serving as placement), mentors, and peers (including peers
who have experienced foster care), with a goal of providing
multiple and varied paths to reduce isolation and ensuring that
the youth develop lifelong connections and support networks;
``(2) to support youth still in foster care who have
experienced foster care at age 14 or older in exercising the
rights referred to in section 475A to participate in developing
their permanency plan and receive written information about
available services and steps the agency is taking to support
the plan, as well as to facilitate pre- and post-permanency
peer support, mentoring, connections with kin, and referrals to
additional appropriate programs and services to help youth
achieve their permanency goals;''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(b) Guidance.--Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act and after consulting with youth with lived experience in
foster care, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue
guidance to States and Tribal child welfare agencies regarding the
purposes set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 477(a) of the
Social Security Act, that includes, at a minimum--
(1) examples of services and support eligible for Federal
funding under part B of title IV of such Act, under part E of
such title as part of completing and following the case plan
requirements provided for in section 475A of such Act, or under
section 477 of such Act, including individual youth support,
family support, and peer support to engage youth during
reunification, guardianship, or adoption proceedings;
(2) best practices for facilitating peer support,
mentoring, and the development and maintenance of lifelong
connections, including practices that support sibling, tribal,
and community connections, including minimum qualifications and
training for persons providing mentoring and peer support;
(3) standards of outreach to and notification of eligible
youth, including youth with a planned permanent living
arrangement, to ensure referrals to appropriate programs and
services; and
(4) protocols for documentation of support and
relationship-building activities under section 477 of such Act
that are required by section 475A of such Act to be included in
a child's case plan, sufficient to permit review under the case
review system described in section 475(5) of such Act.
Union Calendar No. 559
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7995
[Report No. 119-642]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for
Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of
youth with lived experience about the importance of long-term
relationships to future success.
_______________________________________________________________________
May 11, 2026
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed