AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN YOUTH.

HB 5419 requires the Department of Children and Families to update its policies to expand postsecondary education funding eligibility for foster youth still under department care at age 18 and adopted youth adopted before age 18. It specifically extends eligibility to youth whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing them to qualify for funding under existing programs (A) 28-1 and (B) 25-2. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not require continued case management for youth older than 21 who receive funding. This change directly affects vulnerable youth transitioning from foster care or adoption who faced pandemic-related barriers to education.