PASSED THE SENATE: Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Help Find and Protect Missing Foster Youth

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan to protect foster youth and help ensure that they do not fall through the cracks of the child welfare system. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to coordinate with states to better identify and respond to cases of children missing from foster care in a timely manner.

“Foster youth are especially vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking, and it is crucial that every state is aware of – and actively working to find – any missing foster children,” said Senator Hassan.  “I am glad that our bipartisan bill has passed the Senate, and I urge our colleagues in the House to pass this bill quickly so that we can do more to help protect kids in foster care.”

States are currently required by law to implement plans to prevent, mitigate, and find cases of missing foster youth, but tens of thousands of foster children have gone missing in the last two decades. Improving communication between states and the ACF would allow them to provide effective technical assistance to child protective service agencies. The legislation would require ACF to report to Congress on progress being made to find missing foster youth and prevent runaways. In addition, it would establish screenings for children who return to foster care after running away or otherwise being absent to determine if the children were victims of sex trafficking during their absence.

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