Bill Summary
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the rights of youth in the foster care system. It highlights several concerning statistics regarding the challenges faced by foster youth, including higher rates of educational deficiencies, maltreatment, and overrepresentation of minority children in the system. The resolution underscores the vital role of social workers in providing support and emphasizes the need for comprehensive research on the health outcomes of foster children.
The resolution calls for specific rights for foster youth, including the right to an education, participation in extracurricular activities, access to health services, freedom from abuse and neglect, legal representation, adequate living conditions, and freedom from discrimination. Additionally, it affirms the importance of maintaining sibling connections and regular contact with caseworkers. Ultimately, the resolution aims to promote the well-being and rights of foster youth, ensuring they have the necessary support to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
Possible Impacts
The resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the rights of youth in the foster care system can have several significant effects on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Educational Outcomes**: By asserting the right of foster youth to receive an education and remain in their original school if they desire, the resolution may lead to better educational stability for these children. This can help mitigate the educational disadvantages highlighted in the National Health Statistics Report, potentially reducing the likelihood of foster youth lacking a high school diploma or GED. Improved educational outcomes can empower these individuals to pursue higher education and better job opportunities in the future.
2. **Enhanced Well-Being and Support Services**: The resolution emphasizes the importance of health services, including mental health support, for foster youth. By ensuring that these young individuals have access to necessary health services, the resolution can lead to improved physical and mental health outcomes. This support can help address the higher risk of maltreatment and poor health outcomes that foster youth often face, ultimately promoting their overall well-being and resilience.
3. **Protection Against Discrimination and Abuse**: By guaranteeing rights such as freedom from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and ensuring a safe living environment, the resolution aims to create a more protective framework for foster youth. This can lead to a decrease in reported cases of maltreatment and discrimination within the foster care system. As a result, foster youth may experience an environment that fosters trust, safety, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for their emotional and psychological development.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 897 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 897
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the
rights of youth in the foster care system.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 20, 2025
Mr. Cleaver (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Simon, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Brown,
Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, and Ms. Moore of Wisconsin) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education
and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the
rights of youth in the foster care system.
Whereas a 2020 National Health Statistics Report found that adults aged 22-44
who have ever been in foster care were twice as likely to lack either a
high school diploma or a GED compared to their peers who have never been
in foster care;
Whereas a report from the First Star Institute gave 11 States ``D'' or ``F''
grades on their legal rights for foster youth;
Whereas a study by Casey Family Programs of foster children in Oregon and
Washington revealed that one-third of foster youth reported maltreatment
by their foster parent or another household adult;
Whereas a study from the Department of Health and Human Services found that
Black and indigenous children are overrepresented in the foster system
and less likely to exit to a permanent home than White children;
Whereas experts agree that social workers offer critical support to both foster
youth and families, promoting a healthy living environment;
Whereas a study from the National Institutes of Health found that extensive
informed consent requirements for low-risk research activities may
contribute to a lack of research on foster children that may in part
contribute to this population being at a higher risk for poor physical
and mental health outcomes; and
Whereas a 2020 brief from Casey Family Programs reported that sibling separation
slows adjustment to their new home and negatively impacts academic
performance: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that
foster youth should have the right--
(1) to receive an education and, if they so desire, remain
in their original school;
(2) to participate in extracurricular, cultural, and social
activities appropriate to their age and developmental needs;
(3) to receive needed health services, including medical,
dental, vision, and mental health services;
(4) to freedom from abuse, neglect, or corporal punishment;
(5) to be represented by, and to be able to speak to, a
guardian or attorney ad litem;
(6) to adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and a
safe and comfortable living environment;
(7) to freedom from discrimination based on race, gender,
religion, or disability;
(8) to maintain, if they so desire, continued contact with
their siblings;
(9) to regular and reasonable contact with their assigned
caseworker or an employee of the agency responsible for their
child welfare services; and
(10) to be informed of their rights.
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