The Brighter Futures for Teens and Young Adults in Foster Care Act of 2024 strengthens support for youth aging out of foster care by improving awareness of and access to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program. The bill requires states to inform foster youth at age 14 and older about available services through case meetings and court hearings, and mandates that all youth receive critical documents at no cost—including birth certificates, social security cards, health records, and driver's licenses—before leaving care. States must also develop outreach strategies targeting vulnerable populations such as youth with disabilities, homeless youth, and young parents, with the state governor certifying that reasonable efforts have been made to reach eligible youth. The bill requires states to collect data on how many youth are notified about services and how many achieve positive outcomes, and directs the federal government to provide technical assistance to states and report to Congress within six months on performance-based incentive payments. These requirements take effect in the first fiscal year after enactment, with states allowed additional time to comply if new legislation is needed.
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