OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Successful Adulthood Act, which aims to help young Oklahomans gain success after foster care, succeeded in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
House Bill 2361, written by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, passed the House with an 88-4 vote. The bill’s purpose is to equip young people transitioning out of Oklahoma’s foster care system with the documentation they will need to gain work and succeed on their own.
“The Successful Adulthood Act is about making sure young Oklahomans have the support they deserve as they navigate the tough adjustment from foster care into adulthood,” Hill said. “Providing these young adults with the tools and information they need will help them build a foundation for a successful future. By expanding the services and protections in the Successful Adulthood Act, we are helping these young people move forward with confidence and the resources to obtain employment, find housing and create a better life for themselves.”
HB2361 states that children who are 16 years old or older and have been released from state custody due to the entry of an adoption decree or guardianship order are eligible to receive successful adulthood services until they are 21.
The Successful Adulthood Act has a provision modeled after the Sarah Stitt Act, which helped prison inmates transition back into society and gain employment. That bill passed the legislature in 2021 and was also written by Hill.
Hill’s new bill requires the state to provide individuals who are leaving Office of Juvenile Affairs custody after turning 18 with critical documents before they re-enter society. These documents include a certified copy of their U.S. birth certificate, a social security card, a state-issued driver’s license or ID, educational records and information on securing health insurance and accessing personal medical records.
“This provision is a vital addition to the Successful Adulthood Act, ensuring that young people leaving state custody are equipped with the necessary documentation to smoothly move into adulthood and the workforce,” Hill stated. “With these resources, they will have a stronger chance of securing housing, employment, and education, ultimately becoming productive members of society and valued members of our communities.”
The Successful Adulthood Act next moves to the Senate.
