§ 4904. Foster care; transitional youth services

(a) As used in this section, "youth" means a person between 18 and 22 years of age who either:

(1) attained his or her 18th birthday while in the custody of the Commissioner for Children and Families; or

(2) while he or she was between 10 and 18 years of age, spent at least five of those years in the custody of the Commissioner for Children and Families.

(b)(1) The Department shall provide foster care services as described in subsection (c) of this section to:

(A) any youth who elects to continue receiving such services after attaining the age of 18;

(B) any individual under the age of 22 who leaves State custody after the age of 16 and at or before the age of 18 or any youth provided he or she voluntarily requests additional support services.

(2) The Department shall require a youth receiving services under this section to be employed, to participate in a program to promote employment or remove barriers to employment, or to attend an educational or vocational program, and, if the youth is working, require that he or she contribute to the cost of services based on a sliding scale, unless the youth meets the criteria for an exception to the employment and educational or vocational program requirements of this section based on a disability or other good cause. The Department shall establish rules for the requirements and exceptions under this subdivision.

(c) The Commissioner shall establish by rule a program to provide a range of age-appropriate services for youth to ensure a successful transition to adulthood, including foster care and other services provided under this chapter to children as appropriate, housing assistance, transportation, case management services, assistance with obtaining and retaining health care coverage or employment, and other services. At least 12 months prior to a child attaining his or her 18th birthday, the Department shall assist the child in developing a transition plan. When developing the transition plan, the child shall be informed about the range of age-appropriate services and assistance available in applying for or obtaining these services.

(d) [Repealed.]  (Added 2007, No. 74, § 2, eff. June 6, 2007; amended 2009, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 4; 2013, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 102.)