A bill to amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of youth with lived experience regarding the importance of long-term relationships to future success.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4634 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4634 To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of youth with lived experience regarding the importance of long-term relationships to future success. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 21, 2026 Mr. Husted introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to update the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to reflect research and the input of youth with lived experience regarding the importance of long-term relationships to future success. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act'' or the ``CONNECT Act''. SEC. 2. UPDATING THE PURPOSES OF THE JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. (a) Updating of Purposes.--Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking paragraph (2); (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (3) through (7) as paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively; and (3) by inserting after ``conducted--'' the following: ``(1) to help children who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older to develop and maintain sustained, supportive relationships with adults (including kin or fictive kin who are not serving as placement), mentors, and peers (including peers who have experienced foster care), with a goal