Foster Youth and Driving Act

HR 1446, the Foster Youth and Driving Act, requires states to provide driving and transportation assistance to foster youth who have been in foster care at age 14 or older, as well as former foster youth up to age 26 who are enrolled in education or employment programs. The bill mandates that foster care case plans include provisions for preparing youth to drive, such as practice driving hours, license assistance, and insurance help. States must offer assistance covering costs like driver's education, license fees, insurance, and vehicle-related expenses (up to $4,000 annually), while preventing duplication with other benefit programs. The law also requires states to streamline license processes for minors and coordinate with other transition programs, with annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.