An Act To Improve Degree and Career Attainment for Former Foster Children
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4037-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 402, §5, is amended to read:
1. Extended care requirements. A person who is at least 18 , 19 or 20 years of age but less than 27 years of age and who attained 18 years of age while in the care and custody of the State may continue to receive care and support if the person:
A. Is enrolled in secondary school or its equivalent or is enrolled in postsecondary or career and technical school;
B. Is participating in a program or activity that promotes employment or removes barriers to employment;
C. Is employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
D. Is found to be in special circumstances, including but not limited to being incapable of qualifying under paragraphs A to C due to a documented medical or behavioral health condition.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §4037-A, sub-§6 is enacted to read:
6. Annual report. Annually, by April 5th, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters shall request an organization with expertise in foster care to provide to the committee by the following January 30th a report and briefing on the implementation of this section, including information for the prior calendar year regarding the amount of federal and private funding used to implement this section and the rates achieved for enrollment in and graduation from postsecondary and career and technical schools.
summary
This bill raises the upper age limit, from 20 years of age to 26 years of age, for voluntary participation in extended care for persons who attained 18 years of age while in the care and custody of the State. The bill also directs the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters to annually request an organization with expertise in foster care to provide to the committee a report and briefing on the implementation of the law.