The Fostering Connections Resource Center gratefully acknowledges the National Conference of State Legislatures for sharing its tracking information about pending and enacted legislation. Please visit NCSL for additional information.
Enacted Older Youth Legislation in Iowa
Department of Human Services
Bill: SB 152; Status: Enacted
Summary: Relates to administrative and planning requirements involving children for whom the Department of Human Services has responsibility under state or federal law. Revises transition planning for older children in foster care who are age 16 or older and approaching adulthood to include health care coverage planning, opportunities to have a mentor, and education and housing assistance. Requires documentation of the educational stability of the child while in foster care. Mandates the department to send a notice to all adult relatives of the child in custody explaining their options to provide care for the child.
Sponsored by Senate Human Resources Committee
Pending Older Youth Legislation in Iowa
Administrative and Planning Requirements
Bill: HSB 112; Status: Pending
Summary: Establishes that when a child is 16 years of age or older, a written transition plan of services to assist the child in transitioning from foster care into adulthood must be developed. Some of the areas to be addressed in the transition plan include health care coverage, opportunities to have a mentor, and education and housing assistance. Requires documentation of the educational stability of the child while in foster care. Mandates the department to send a notice to all adult relatives of the child in custody explaining their options to provide care for the child.
Sponsored by House Human Resources Committee
Department of Human Services
Bill: SSB 1104; Status: Pending
Summary: Determines that when a child is sixteen years of age or older, a written transition plan of services which, based upon an assessment of the child's needs, would assist the child in preparing for the transition from foster care to adulthood. The transition plan and needs assessment shall be developed with a focus on the services, other support, and actions necessary to facilitate the child's successful entry into adulthood. The transition plan shall be personalized at the direction of the child and shall be developed with the child present, honoring the goals and concerns of the child, and shall address the following areas of need when the child becomes an adult, including but not limited to all of the following: education, employment services, health care coverage, housing, and relationships.
Sponsored by Senate Human Resources Committee
