Bill > H0977

This bill aims to support children in licensed out-of-home care by making it easier for them to obtain driver education and motor vehicle insurance. It allows courts to remove certain age-related legal limitations, known as the "disability of nonage," for minors if it's in their best interest, specifically to facilitate obtaining car insurance. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is directed to create a three-year pilot program, funded by an appropriation of $800,000, to cover the costs of driver education, licensing fees, and motor vehicle insurance for eligible children in foster care who have completed driver education. The bill also clarifies that if a caregiver adds a child to their existing insurance policy, the payment will only cover the increased cost of the policy. Additionally, it grants preferential enrollment in driver education courses to students in the custody of the DCF who are making appropriate academic progress, and it removes the age restriction for minors aged 16 and older who are in foster care and have completed driver education to execute insurance contracts.