Bill > HB2722

This bill, known as the "Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act," aims to improve access to postsecondary education for young people experiencing homelessness or in foster care. It mandates that each public college or university, and allows private ones, to appoint a "liaison" – a staff member knowledgeable about the specific needs and laws affecting these students, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This liaison will help current and prospective students who are considered "foster youth" (individuals in foster care for at least six of the twelve months before turning eighteen) or "homeless youth" (as defined by federal law, including those who are unaccompanied) navigate financial aid applications, particularly regarding independent student status and eligibility for federal aid under the Higher Education Act. The bill also allows institutions to grant in-state residency to students under twenty who have been homeless within the last two years, provided they meet certain criteria. Furthermore, institutions offering student housing may create plans to help these students secure stable housing, potentially giving them priority for on-campus housing and ensuring they have access to it during breaks between academic terms. Finally, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development will maintain a publicly accessible, annually updated directory of these liaisons at public institutions, and private institutions can also have their liaisons listed.