Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026

The Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026 requires states to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with free access to their health and education records, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and credit reports at the time of each placement or at least once every 12 months. The bill also mandates that these young people receive personalized transition plans covering housing, healthcare, education, and employment, along with information on how to enroll in medical assistance and designate a healthcare decision-maker. Additionally, the law requires caseworkers to inform youth about available services during meetings and hearings, and it establishes a formal list of rights for foster youth that must be explained to them annually with a signed acknowledgment. These changes aim to ensure that older foster children have the necessary documents and information to navigate their lives independently as they age out of the system.