Committee advances bill to create work group on aging out of foster care

A committee voted unanimously to advance and pass House Bill 915, which would establish a work group focused on young people aging out of foster care and require a formal report to the General Assembly by June 1, 2027.

A committee member, who introduced the bill, said, "House bill 9 15 is a bill that establishes the work group on aging out of foster care to be staffed by the citizens review board for children, and they will make a report submitted to the general assembly by 06/01/2027." The member described an amendment that "adds 2 members to the work group, requires DHS to provide a stipend to the several youth, young adults, with lived experience on the work group and directs the citizens review board for children within DHS to staff the work group rather than the state council on child abuse and neglect." The Committee member moved the amendment and it was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: supporters said the amendment would expand direct representation of young people with lived experience and ensure they receive stipends for participation. The proposal shifts staffing responsibility to the Citizens Review Board for Children within DHS rather than the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, and it adds two members to the work group to broaden membership.

The committee then moved the bill "to go," the motion was seconded, and the Chair called for a voice/hand vote. The Chair announced, "Bill passes unanimously." The bill as amended will require DHS (acronym used in the transcript; full agency name was not specified in the record) to provide stipends and the Citizens Review Board for Children to staff the group. A final report is due to the General Assembly by June 1, 2027.

Next steps: the committee recorded passage by voice; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally or the bill's next chamber assignment in this session.