Introduced in House

[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.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    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.

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

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

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.

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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