OH SB240

Extends federal Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance payments eligibility from age 18 to age 21 for individuals who were in custody of a public children services agency and meet ongoing educational or employment requirements.

Requires the Director of Job and Family Services to submit state plan amendments to the federal government by January 1, 2017, implementing the extended age provisions under 42 U.S.C. 675(8).

Allows individuals aged 18-21 to enter voluntary participation agreements with the Department for foster care without court approval; agreements expire within 180 days and require court approval for renewal.

Expands Title IV-E adoption assistance payments to adoptive parents of individuals aged 16-17 at adoption who are under age 21 and meet ongoing educational or employment criteria.

Appropriates $550,000 for fiscal year 2016 and $12,384,289 for fiscal year 2017 to implement the expanded foster care and adoption assistance programs.