Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026
Sen. Daines and Sen. Hassan Propose Raising Foster Youth Education Vouchers to $12,000
This bill was introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Finance. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill has support from both parties and addresses a popular issue, but it still needs to move through the committee process and find time for a full vote.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Foster youth pursuing postsecondary education or training would receive significantly more financial support, with vouchers jumping from $5,000 to $12,000 per year. The bill also broadens what counts as eligible education to include apprenticeships, GED programs, and short-term job training, giving these students more flexible pathways to careers. A simplified application process and transportation assistance remove common barriers that prevent foster youth from accessing these benefits.
“paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$12,000''”
Programs
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
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EXCLUSIVE: Daines Moves to Lock in First Lady's Foster Care Reforms
The bipartisan legislation aims to expand educational and workforce pathways for youth aging out of foster care. It incorporates language from a presidential executive order and allows funds to be used for apprenticeships, technical education, and transportation in rural areas.
Daines' Bill Expands Education, Career Paths for Foster Youth
Senators Steve Daines and Maggie Hassan introduced a bill to modernize the Chafee Foster Care Program. The legislation increases the maximum individual Education and Training Voucher (ETV) award to $12,000 annually and supports career-focused training beyond traditional college degrees.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.