Committee advances bill to extend foster care support from 21 to 23

House Bill 245, which would extend access to state foster-care supports from age 21 to 23, was sent to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation after testimony and questions from a House committee.

Sponsors and witnesses told the committee that the extra two years would help youth complete college or vocational training and provide a more gradual transition to independence. Representative Jason Monks, sponsor pro tempore, said foster youth often "got a rough go" and that raising the age to 23 "is what it takes to get through college," because it extends a support structure many lack.

The bill's primary sponsor, Representative Alana Rubell of District 18, told the committee the program is small in scale but high in potential return. Rubell said the program would likely serve "about 40…