CYFD & USE OF FEDERAL BENEFITS
What changed between versions
Added a formal definition of 'Representative Payee' as a person appointed by a federal agency to manage benefits provided to a child.
Required the department to determine federal benefits eligibility within 60 days of a child entering custody and annually thereafter.
Mandated the department to establish an appropriate account to conserve federal benefits for the child's current and future needs.
Required the department to provide financial literacy and planning tools to children before they leave state custody to help align conserved benefits with their transition plans.
Required the department to release any remaining federal benefit funds to the child upon termination of legal custody, with specific provisions for minors versus emancipated adults.
Explicitly prohibited the department from using a child's federal benefits to pay for or reimburse the department for any costs of the child's care, though benefits can be used for unmet needs beyond the department's obligations.
Established new annual reporting requirements to the legislative health and human services committee starting September 1, 2026, including data on number of children receiving benefits, benefit types, conservation methods, and amounts used and conserved.
Changed the bill title from 'Introduced Version' to 'Final Version' and reorganized sections for clarity and completeness.
