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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Louise Williams Bishop |
  
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Bishop independent living program bill approved by House committee
HARRISBURG, June 17 – State Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Phila., said the House Children and Youth Committee has approved her bill that would require children and youth agencies to demonstrate that young adults are prepared to successfully live on their own before they are released from the foster care system.
Bishop said the legislation (H.B. 2582) would ensure that Pennsylvania's foster care youth have the education, access to services and skills necessary to successfully transition to independence and self-sufficiency.
"Each year, many of our young adults leave the child foster care system without permanent family connections and attempt to live independently, but just aren’t ready to be on their own," Bishop said. "My bill would ensure our young adults have the care they need and a place to live until they are truly ready for life on their own."
Bishop said the legislation would create the opportunity for young adults to receive trial discharges from foster care to become independent. It would also allow adults under 21 to petition to re-enter the child welfare system if they find they cannot successfully live on their own.
The Philadelphia lawmaker said her bill aims to protect young adults leaving the foster care system from homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, illness and welfare dependency.
"I will press to see that this bill becomes law," Bishop said. "It is the right thing to do. It makes no sense to allow these young people to enter the world unprepared."
Bishop said she is hopeful the legislation will be considered by the full House soon.
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