HB1671 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code §§ 9-27-363 and 9-28-114 to lower the age for developing transitional life plans from seventeen (17) years old to fourteen (14) years old, requiring plans to be developed within ninety (90) days of the youth's fourteenth birthday.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to assist foster youth with applications for health insurance (ARKids First, Medicaid), transitional housing, employment, college/vocational training, and financial aid.

• Mandates that before closing a case, the department provide youth with Social Security cards, birth certificates, family photos, health records, educational records, and a full accounting of any funds held by the department within thirty (30) days of leaving care.

• Requires referral to the Office of the Public Guardian for Adults (or Adult Protective Services Unit) no later than six (6) months before a youth reaches eighteen (18) years of age if the youth lacks capacity to successfully transition to adulthood.

• Prohibits the department from requesting court closure of a family in need of services or dependency-neglect case until all transitional requirements are satisfied, and mandates notice to the youth and their attorney before case closure hearings.