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LB 181

Provide for benefits under the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act for young adults not lawfully present in the United States

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Machaela Cavanaugh and 1 co-sponsor

Expands Bridge to Independence to include young adults not lawfully present; ensures medical care, housing, and case management through age 21 via a state plan amendment.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LB 181

LB 181 – Summary of the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act Expansion

Overview
- Bill number and title: LB 181, to amend the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act (YABTIA)
- Purpose: Expand access to the Bridge to Independence program to include young adults who are not lawfully present in the United States, and to clarify related coverage and services. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to file a state plan amendment implementing these changes.
- Introduced: January 13, 2025
- Hearing: Notice of hearing scheduled for February 12, 2025
- Principal sponsor: Senator Machaela Cavanaugh
- Committee: Health and Human Services

What the bill would do (key provisions)
- Eligibility and access
- Beginning January 1, 2026, the Bridge to Independence program would be available to all young adults described in the program’s eligibility section, including young adults who are not lawfully present in the United States.
- The bill directs DHHS to file a state plan amendment as required to implement this expansion.

  • Verification and program participation

    • Section 4-110 (verification of lawful presence) would be amended to explicitly allow participation in the Bridge to Independence program regardless of immigration status. This aligns program eligibility with the expanded target group.

  • Services provided under YABTIA (extended and non-cash supports)

    • Medical care
    • Eligible participants who sign a voluntary services and support agreement would receive medical care through the medical assistance program (Title XIX/Title XXI or other options), regardless of immigration status. If traditional Title XIX/XXI coverage is unavailable, the department must pursue other options (including General Fund funding) to ensure medical care continues.
    • Housing and placement
    • Housing and placement supports include foster care maintenance for youths exiting foster care, with options for residing in foster family homes, facilities, or other appropriate settings. Payments and accommodation rules would be established to respect the young adult’s autonomy and transition needs, with age-appropriate safety considerations.
    • Case management
    • Case management would be age-focused and continue the independent living transition effort. It would include a jointly developed case plan detailing housing, resources, and needs to facilitate a successful transition to adulthood, including ongoing documentation of offered and provided assistance.

  • General program framework

    • The bill retains and clarifies that YABTIA services are designed to help at-risk youth who have aged out of foster care (typically around age 19) to obtain health coverage, education or vocational goals, housing stability, and life-skills supports through age 21.
    • It includes a provision to repeal or modify original sections as part of the act’s amendments, maintaining consistency with current statutory structure.

Who is affected
- At-risk youth aging out of foster care (age 19 to 21) seeking independence supports.
- Young adults not lawfully present in the United States who would qualify under the expanded eligibility.
- DHHS, which would implement the state plan amendment and administer extended benefits.
- Related contractors and foster care providers involved in housing, case management, and medical assistance coordination.

Timeline and implementation
- January 1, 2025: Core provisions (as drafted) reference ongoing program framework.
- January 1, 2026: Expanded eligibility to include non–lawfully-present young adults becomes effective.
- February 12, 2025: Hearing date set for committee consideration.
- Ongoing: DHHS to file a state plan amendment to reflect changes and implement extended benefits.

Notes
- The bill emphasizes inclusion of non-citizen young adults and ensures access to healthcare and supportive services through the Bridge to Independence program, aligning state policy with federal guidance while detailing implementation steps and funding options.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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