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Committee advances bill to increase outreach for foster youth tax credit
Summary
SB 624 would require counties and juvenile probation departments to mail notices to nonminor foster youth about the California Foster Youth Tax Credit and direct CDSS to issue guidance; the committee passed the measure to Appropriations unanimously.
The Assembly Committee on Human Services voted to pass SB 624, known in the hearing as the Foster Act, to the Assembly Appropriations Committee after author and advocates told members the bill would increase access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit.
Senator Caballero, the author, said the credit aims to reduce poverty among current and former foster youth, whose annual incomes average between $9,000 and $16,000. “To close the gap, SB 624 will require county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments to mail information to contact all nonminor foster youth,” the author said, and will direct the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to issue best-practice guidance to counties.
Symone Turek Lee of John Burton Advocates for Youth testified that only about 16% of eligible youth received the credit in 2024 and that outreach can increase uptake. She said refunds tied to filing are meaningful: single filers who use assistance received an average of $1,370 back, and parenting youth filing as head of household received over $5,200 back. “This credit is the first and only tax credit in the nation for current and former foster youth,” Turek Lee said.
Bailey Craig, a former foster youth and youth advocate, described receiving a refund after filing in 2023 and said the money paid car insurance, registration and other essential costs that supported her transportation and schooling. “For a lot of people my age, receiving this credit means being able to pay another month of rent,” Craig said.
Committee members spoke in support and thanked foster parents and advocates; the bill’s author indicated she accepted committee amendments. The motion to pass SB 624 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee was moved by Assemblymember Jackson and seconded by Assemblymember Al Hawari. The roll call vote recorded 7 ayes, 0 noes. The bill advances to the Appropriations Committee.
