II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1512 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2007 Mrs. Boxer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to expand Federal eligibility for children in foster care who have attained age 18.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Foster Care Continuing Opportunities Act.

2.

State option for youth to elect to remain in foster care after attaining age 18

(a)

Definition of child

Section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (8)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), the term child means an individual who has not attained age 18. (B)At the option of a State, such term may include an individual who— (i)has attained age 18; and (ii)elects to remain in foster care until attaining age 19, 20, or 21 (as the State may elect). . (b)

Conforming amendments

Section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) by inserting (or such higher age as the State has elected under section 475(8) after of age each place it appears; and (B)in paragraph (5), by inserting (or between such higher age as the State has elected under section 475(8) and 21 years of age) after 18 and 21 years of age; and (2)in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (b)(3), by inserting (or such higher age as the State has elected under section 475(8)) after 18 years of age each place it appears. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section take effect on October 1, 2007.