Researcher: JC Page 1 4/4/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5299
AN ACT INCREASING THE AGE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FUNDING PROGRAM OFFERED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
SUMMARY
This bill increases, to age 26, the age of eligibility for the Department
of Children and Families’ (DCF’s) post-secondary education funding
program (see BACKGROUND). Under the bill, the DCF commissioner
must amend the department’s policies and regulations for this funding
program to increase:
1. from 21 to 26, the age until which a youth can voluntarily agree
to receive and qualify for DCF services and funding under the
program and
2. from 23 to 26, the age until which a youth who is enrolled in a
post-secondary education program and who continues to meet
DCF requirements is eligible for funding to complete the post-
secondary education program.
For these purposes, a “post-secondary education program” is a
program that leads to an academic degree or certification in a vocation
or employment training.
The bill also extends the maximum age of DCF guardianship, from
21 to 26, for:
1. a child or youth committed to DCF care before age 18 who
receives services and funding from the post-secondary education
funding program and
2. a youth committed to DCF care before age 18 who (a) remains
voluntarily in DCF care once he or she reaches age 18 and (b)
receives services and funding through the post-secondary 2022HB-05299-R000277-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 2 4/4/22
education funding program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Post-Secondary Education Funding Program
Under this program, DCF provides funding for post-secondary
education to certain young adults who, before their 18
th
birthday, were
adjudicated as abused, neglected, or uncared for children and
committed by the Superior Court to DCF.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 22 Nay 1 (03/17/2022)