Committee on Children
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-35
AN ACT CONCERNING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION EXPENSES FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ADOPTED THROUGH
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES' FOSTER CARE
Title: PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 2/25/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Committee on Children
Rep. Michael A. Winkler, 56th Dist.
Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist.
Sen. Dan Champagne, 35th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill would allow for children adopted on or after January 1, 2001 to be eligible for a post-
secondary education expense assistance on behalf of the state of Connecticut. Currently,
only children who were adopted after December 31, 2004 are eligible for the state of
Connecticut expense assistance. Considering children who were born in 2001 should be
around 20 years old in 2021, the approval of this bill would allow young adults to have their
post-secondary education expenses assisted by the state as soon as possible.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Vannessa Dorantes, Commissioner. Department of Children and Families: Testified in
support but added some comments regarding this bill. Currently, the expenses of the DCF
with the foster care program higher education support are approximately $25,000/year. The
enactment of this bill could result in a significant unbudgeted cost. Therefore, if the bill
requires DCF to provide financial assistance to young adults who attend college on or after
the bills effective date, the cost would be approximately $6.7 million annually.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
No Support to this bill offered
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
No Support to this bill offered
Reported by: Gabriela Dos Santos Date: March 7th 2021
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