US HB7995

Amends Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act to add new purposes for the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program, focusing on helping youth age 14+ develop sustained relationships with adults, kin, mentors, and peers to reduce isolation and build lifelong support networks

Requires support for foster youth in exercising their rights to participate in permanency planning, receive written information about services, and access peer support, mentoring, and kin connections

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance within 1 year to States and Tribal child welfare agencies on eligible services, best practices for relationship-building, outreach standards, and documentation protocols

Amendments take effect 1 year after enactment, and guidance development must include consultation with youth who have lived experience in foster care

Introduced March 19, 2026 by Rep. Moore (D-WI) and Rep. Carey, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means