Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Positive |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Current law requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to provide transitional living services to foster care children 14 years and older.
This bill would require the DFPS to ensure the transition plan for youths aged 16 years or older to include additional provisions to assist the youth in managing housing needs after leaving foster care. The additional provisions in the transition plan must:
DFPS would also be responsible for addressing any potential conflicts with a youth if a youth decides to reside with family or friends.
The aforementioned required provisions in a youth's transition plan do not expand the scope of government. However, children who are wards of the state should not be left to fend for themselves upon adulthood without having been trained and prepared for the responsibilities of adulthood. In so far as these children are wards of the state, it is the state's job to ensure that they are prepared for the next steps when they "age out" of the foster care system. This legislation would represent an effort to train and prepare foster children to be responsible for themselves in adulthood. To that end, we support this legislation based on personal responsibility and individual liberty.