II
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1512
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 24, 2007
Mrs. Boxer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to expand Federal eligibility for children in foster care who have attained age 18.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the Foster Care Continuing
Opportunities Act
.
State option for youth to elect to remain in foster care after attaining age 18
Definition of child
Section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term child means an individual who has not attained age 18.
At the option of a State, such term may include an individual who—
has attained age 18; and
elects to remain in foster care until attaining age 19, 20, or 21 (as the State may elect).
.
Conforming amendments
Section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraphs
(1), (2), and (3) by inserting (or such higher age as the State has
elected under section 475(8)
after of age
each place it
appears; and
in paragraph (5),
by inserting (or between such higher age as the State has elected under
section 475(8) and 21 years of age)
after 18 and 21 years of
age
; and
in subparagraphs
(A), (B), and (C) of subsection (b)(3), by inserting (or such higher age
as the State has elected under section 475(8))
after 18 years of
age
each place it appears.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section take effect on October 1, 2007.