HB 1964 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Future in Focus Program; established.

Summary

Future in Focus Program. Establishes the Future in Focus Program to provide services and support to individuals 21, 22, and 23 years of age who participated in the Fostering Futures program immediately prior to attaining 21 years of age. Such services and support shall be designed to assist participants in transitioning to adulthood, becoming self-sufficient, and creating permanent, positive relationships. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations to implement the bill's provisions.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 6, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Health and Human Services Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original version to change the program name from 'Bright Futures' to 'Future in Focus Program' and significantly narrow eligibility requirements. The original version covered ages 21-23 for anyone in foster care at 18, while the substitute version restricts participation to those who turned 21 on or after July 1, 2025, and specifically requires prior participation in the Fostering Futures program before age 21. The scope was also reduced from sections 63.2-924 through 63.2-930 to just sections 63.2-924 through 63.2-927, removing provisions for court proceedings and administrative reviews.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from covering all former foster youth ages 21-23 to only those who turned 21 on or after July 1, 2025 and participated in the Fostering Futures program before age 21. The program was also redefined to explicitly state it is not considered foster care.

SCOPE

Program name changed from 'Bright Futures' to 'Future in Focus Program'

ELIGIBILITY

Age eligibility changed from 21-23 to specifically 21, 22, or 23 years of age

Added new requirement that participants must have turned 21 on or after July 1, 2025

Added requirement that participants must have participated in Fostering Futures program before age 21

DEFINITION

Added definition that the program is not considered foster care and participants are not in foster care

Changed 'Voluntary continuing services and support agreement' to 'Voluntary agreement'

Changed 'Bright Futures' to 'Future in Focus Program' in definitions

REQUIREMENT

Removed sections covering court proceedings and administrative reviews (63.2-928 through 63.2-930)

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2025

How they voted

99–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 100

Feb 4, 2025

D Democratic51

51 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican49

48 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed House (99-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Committee

Assigned Approps sub: Health & Human Resources

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Committee

Assigned sub: Social Services

lower

Jan 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

lower

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors