Senators Hassan, Young Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Foster Youth Obtain Driver's Licenses

Press Release

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to help foster youth succeed by helping them obtain driver's licenses. The process of getting a driver's license includes high costs and other barriers for foster youth. The Senators' Foster Youth and Driving Act works to address these barriers by creating a grant that would help young people in foster care obtain the necessary practice and insurance to get a driver's license.

"Getting a driver's license can be an important part of young adulthood -- helping young people gain independence and allowing them to access work and education opportunities. Unfortunately, foster youth face financial barriers to getting a driver's license," said Senator Hassan. "Our bipartisan bill takes steps to ensure that foster youth have tools to get a license and to access the opportunities that can come along with it."

"Given the hardships faced by young Hoosiers in the foster system, we should do all we can to ensure they have the tools necessary for future success. Our bill would remove some of the existing barriers these individuals face when obtaining a driver's license," said Senator Young.

Transportation is a barrier for foster youth and their opportunities to access education and employment -- and can present even more challenges for those in rural areas with limited public transportation. The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative found that foster youth with driver's licenses were more likely than their peers to attend school and almost twice as likely to work.

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