Congress·Reported·H.R. 7529

Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act

Foster Care: Legal Help for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Feb 12·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Next up: The House

The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee as of May 10, 2026. The bill is now waiting for the House of Representatives to schedule a full floor vote. While the bill is moving forward, it still needs to be selected by House leadership to receive a vote.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would allow states to use federal money from the Chafee Program to pay for legal services and counseling for young people in foster care. This program is designed to help foster youth successfully move into adulthood and live on their own.
States would be required to look at how legal problems—like court records or custody issues—might be stopping foster youth from getting jobs, finding a place to live, or finishing their education.
The goal is to help current and former foster youth clear up legal hurdles that make it hard to start their adult lives. This includes helping them with paperwork for family relationships and other court-related matters.
If passed, the new rules would start one year later. This gives states time to update their own laws if necessary so they can qualify for the federal funding.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

3 milestones6 actions

May 11, 2026House

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.

The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.

May 11, 2026House

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-640.

Apr 29, 2026House

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 0.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Apr 29, 2026House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Feb 12, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

No votes or news coverage recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act

Bill NumberHR 7529

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)

R: 3

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.