Senate Bill 1539 Summary

• Establishes an extended foster care program allowing qualified young adults (ages 18-20) who were dependent children to voluntarily remain in foster care if they are in school, employed at least 80 hours monthly, participating in employment programs, or unable to work due to documented medical conditions.

• Requires the department to provide progress reports every six months to a young adult administrative review panel and develop educational case management plans to help participants graduate high school and pursue postsecondary education.

• Grants juvenile court jurisdiction to determine within 120 days whether a qualified young adult's participation in the extended foster care program is in their best interest.

• Extends adoption subsidy eligibility through age 21 for individuals enrolled in school (instead of age 18) and through age 20 for those adopted at ages 16-17 who meet specified conditions regarding education, employment, or medical status.

• Restricts interested parties from filing dependency petitions for children with recent delinquency adjudications or juvenile corrections involvement unless they provide the department 14 days' advance notice and documented allegations.