CS/CS/CS/HB 1315 - Independent Living Bill Summary

• Courts retain jurisdiction over dependent children until age 18, with exceptions allowing extension to age 21 for young adults who meet specific criteria and choose to remain in foster care under the new "extended foster care" program.

• Creates transition planning requirements starting when children reach 17 years old, including comprehensive planning for housing, health insurance, education, workforce support, and mentoring relationships, with court approval before leaving care.

• Establishes the Road-to-Independence Program providing financial assistance ($1,256 monthly) and services to eligible young adults ages 18-23 pursuing postsecondary education or receiving aftercare services including mentoring, mental health counseling, and life skills training.

• Implements "reasonable and prudent parent standard" allowing caregivers to approve age-appropriate extracurricular and social activities, and increases foster parent monthly room and board rates (effective January 1, 2014: $429-$515 depending on age) with annual cost-of-living adjustments.

• Creates the Independent Living Services Advisory Council to oversee program implementation and requires the department to develop outcome measures and submit annual reports to the Legislature.