Committee drafts bill to extend postsecondary aid for foster youth from 23 to 28; cost concerns voiced

The committee voted to draft House Bill 6182, which would raise the age limit for a Department of Children and Families program providing financial assistance for postsecondary education from 23 to 28.

Representative Wheatlander, who moved the motion, said the change recognizes that many foster youth are disconnected from traditional pathways and need more time to complete degrees and workforce training. She said extending eligibility would “allow these children…to get degrees to better themselves and their future families.”

Representative Dauphine objected, saying the state already provides broad community college benefits and that extending the program to 28 “is going to add a huge burden to the taxpayers of the state.” Senator Martin asked whether the proposal changed anything other than age; staff said it did not.

The motion to draft HB 6182 passed on roll call; several members voted yes while Representative Dauphine and Senator Martin recorded no votes. The committee held votes open until the start of the first session, per the chair’s announcement.

Next steps: staff will prepare draft language and the bill will proceed to public hearing where advocates and fiscal analysts can testify about projected costs and implementation details.