HR 7995
Advanced toward a vote
Updates the stated purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program so that it focuses more on lasting relationships with adults, mentors, and peers for youth who have been in foster care at age 14 or older.
Official title: CONNECT Act
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
19-MAR-2026
Referred
19-MAR-2026
Approved by committee
29-APR-2026
Reported
11-MAY-2026
On the calendar
11-MAY-2026
- Amends Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act to replace the program's existing purposes with purposes centered on sustained supportive relationships and lifelong connections for youth who experienced foster care at age 14 or older
- Adds goals of helping youth take part in developing their permanency plans and receive written information about available services, and of facilitating peer support, mentoring, and kin connections
- Takes effect one year after enactment
- Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within one year of enactment and after consulting youth with foster care experience, to issue guidance to states and Tribal child welfare agencies on eligible services, mentoring and peer support best practices, youth outreach standards, and case plan documentation protocols
No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Check on congress.gov- Ways and Means Committee (House)
Families
■ 2 R■ 1 D
2 Republicans
1 Democrat