WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30) introduced the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act. The bipartisan proposal would create a feedback loop between states and the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) to provide better care and information-sharing for missing and runaway foster youth. Read the full text of the bill here.

“The number of children missing from our foster care system is horrifying and heartbreaking,” said Rep. Gonzales. “Improving communication between state and federal agencies will help all children to have a safe place to call home. I am pleased to join this bipartisan effort to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable children.” 

“In 2020, over 4,000 foster care children in the United States went unaccounted for—designated simply as “runaway” and left behind by the foster care system,” said Rep. Johnson. “The system was designed to protect these children, but when thousands of them go missing each year, it is evident that there is a serious problem. That’s why I was proud to work with Congressman Gonzales to introduce the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it passed.” 

States are currently required by law to implement plans to prevent, mitigate and find cases of missing foster youth, but tens of thousands of foster children have gone missing in the last two decades. The proposal seeks to increase communication between states and the ACF, allowing them to draw from real-life experiences when they provide assistance to child protective service agencies. In addition, the legislation would require ACF to report to Congress on progress being made to find missing foster youth and prevent runaways.

This legislation is endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Debbie Stabenow (D-M).