SACRAMENTO—Senator McGuire’s legislation to strengthen accountability and improve outcomes for foster youth, SB 1421, was signed by the Governor after passing the Legislature with bipartisan support.

Throughout his tenure in the State Senate, Senator McGuire has been a leading advocate for California’s foster youth, advancing groundbreaking initiatives such as making community college tuition-free for all foster youth, helping permanently prioritize registration for foster youth at CSU and community colleges, and strengthening protections for sibling relationships. He has also authored landmark legislation to protect foster youth from the over-prescription of psychotropic medication.

This year, McGuire authored SB 1421, which strengthens California’s child welfare accountability system by requiring the state to track and measure whether young adults who are transitioning out of the California foster care system or are in extended foster care are completing the FAFSA and enrolling in higher education. Foster youth are among the lowest level of students who attend college—with only 55% enrolling in higher education.

These critical metrics will help both the State and California counties identify gaps in support and ensure young adults in foster care receive the services they’re entitled to and the resources they need to succeed.

“For years, we’ve worked to make sure foster youth have the same shot at success as every other young person in California,” said Senator McGuire. “Now that we’ve passed tuition-free community college for all California foster youth, we need SB 1421 to ensure they’re receiving the services entitled to them and the resources they need to succeed. We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with John Burton Advocates for Youth to help make sure these young adults are always a priority here in the Golden State.”

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Mike McGuire is President pro Tempore Emeritus of the California Senate. He represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin Counties. Website of Senator McGuire: https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/