SB3196 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)
DCFS-YOUTH TRANSITIONS
Last Action
3/26/2026 - Senate: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to establish rules concerning transition planning for youth aging out of care, requires the Department to consult with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to determine the effectiveness of existing programs, to identify new programming that supports youth transitions to independence, and to advise on how information about transitional services is communicated to youth in a clear, timely, and age-appropriate manner. Requires the Department to develop, by July 1, 2027, procedures setting forth a process by which: (i) a youth or a youth's representative can request an accounting or explanation of financial decisions made by the Department or child welfare contributing agency for any monies held on behalf of the youth; and (ii) the Department or child welfare contributing agency acknowledges receipt of the request, provides a written response within a defined period, and outlines steps for review or correction when an error or dispute regarding the accounting is identified. Requires the Department to ensure that each youth in care, if applicable, receives age-appropriate financial guidance designed to build financial literacy and informed decision-making regarding the youth's Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits, veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Contains provisions on the development of tailored youth-driven transition plans; notification to youth on the location of necessary documents and any financial accounts open in their name; the development of a curriculum guided program for youth transitioning out of care; written and verbal notice on a youth's scheduled Successful Transition to Adulthood Review (STAR) hearings; requirements on residential treatment centers, group homes, transitional living programs, and the Department to ensure a youth's attendance at a scheduled STAR hearing; and other matters. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In provisions concerning STAR hearings, requires the Department to allow a minor the opportunity to express to the court the minor's goals, preferences, and concerns regarding the minor's transition to independence. Requires the court to review and ensure the Department is in compliance with its statutory obligation to support the minor's meaningful engagement in STAR hearings.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
Adds reference to:
In the Children and Family Services Act, removes provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to consult with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to determine the effectiveness of existing transition planning programs, to identify new programming, and to advise on how information about transitional services is communicated to youth in a clear, timely, and age appropriate manner. Removes amendatory provisions requiring the Department to develop, by July 1, 2027, procedures setting forth a process by which a youth or a youth's representative can request an accounting or explanation of financial decisions made by the Department or child welfare contributing agency for any monies held by the Department or child welfare contributing agency on behalf of the youth. Instead provides that the Department shall require periodic verification of accounts identified as belonging to or held for the benefit of a youth in care to ensure the preservation of the youth's financial resources. Requires the Department to adopt rules establishing a process by which a youth, or other specified persons, may request an accounting of funds held, conserved, or expended by the Department on behalf of the youth and accounts known to the Department. Removes amendatory provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to (i) ensure that each youth receives age-appropriate financial guidance designed to build financial literacy and informed decision-making and (ii) review and seek feedback from the Statewide Youth Advisory Board regarding the effectiveness of such education and support services. Removes definitions for the terms "mental and physical health and well-being", "financial stability", and "supportive adult". Requires the Department to make reasonable efforts to develop, in partnership with the youth, an individualized transition-plan for each youth in care aged 15 and over; and requires that the transition plan address the youth's financial stability, including developmentally appropriate financial literacy education and information regarding any financial accounts established in the youth's name or for the youth's benefit of which the Department is aware, in addition to other specified subject matters. Removes amendatory provisions requiring 6-month case plan reviews for youth in care 15 years of age regarding the location of necessary documents and financial accounts opened in the youth's name. Removes amendatory provisions requiring the Department to develop a curriculum guided program for youth transitioning out of care. Adds provisions requiring the Department to make reasonable efforts to ensure that each youth in care eligible for a Successful Transition to Adulthood Review (STAR) hearing is informed of court hearings concerning his or her case at least 10 days in advance of the hearing whenever practicable, and is afforded the opportunity to attend or participate in the STAR hearing; and to support each youth in care's attendance in the youth's STAR hearings, including by providing or arranging transportation or other appropriate accommodations consistent with the youth's age and developmental needs. Amends the Department of Children and Family Services Statewide Youth Advisory Board Act. In provisions concerning Statewide Youth Advisory Board (Board) meetings, requires the Director of the Department or the Director's designee to (i) affirmatively engage with the Board regarding proposed or newly implemented Department policies, guidelines, procedures, rules, and training that materially affect current or former youth in foster care and (ii) provide the Board a reasonable opportunity to review and offer input when practicable. Expands the Board's responsibilities to include making recommendations to the Department on foster care and child welfare service delivery rulemaking. Makes other changes.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2/02/2026 | Senate | Filed with Secretary by Sen. Lakesia Collins |
| 2/02/2026 | Senate | First Reading |
| 2/02/2026 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 2/10/2026 | Senate | Assigned to Judiciary |
| 3/11/2026 | Senate | Do Pass Judiciary; 009-000-000 |
| 3/11/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026 |
| 3/24/2026 | Senate | Second Reading |
| 3/24/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2026 |
| 3/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Lakesia Collins |
| 3/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Judiciary; 008-000-000 |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Recalled to Second Reading |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Collins |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons |
| 3/27/2026 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán |