NACC Policy Updates
- NACC wrote to Mississippi policymakers in support of specific provisions of SB2728, the Mississippi Chancery Youth Court Act of 2026.
- NACC commented on CMS-2451-P, “Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Funding for Sex-Rejecting Procedures Furnished to Children.”
- NACC commented on CMS-3481-P, “Hospital Condition of Participation: Prohibiting Sex Rejecting Procedures for Children.”
- The American Bar Association voted to update the language of Model Rule 1.14, Clients with Decision-Making Limitations, which is applicable to representation of some minors.
Federal Updates
- The federal Administration for Children and Families announced recission of over 35,000 pages of sub-regulatory guidance. All active guidance is located in this portal. Several frequently-cited Information Memoranda, such as those on Youth Voice, Title IV-E Funding, Civil Legal Advocacy and Permanency/ Wellbeing, remain active.
- Children’s Bureau Information Memoranda on Remote Court Hearings
NACC Joins Sign-On Letters
- Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act
- Sensitive Locations Protections in Department of Homeland Security bill
- The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act
- Health and Human Services proposed rule on Gender Dysphoria & Section 504
- Amend the Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online (ECCHO) Act
- FY2027 Funding Request for Federal Programs Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- Executive Order feedback memo: Maximizing Chafee and ETV Spending by States
- Executive Order feedback memo: Improving Data Collection to Better Inform Older Youth Policy and Services
- Appropriations letter to Support Connecting Foster Youth and Incarcerated Parents
Amicus News
- Lawyers for Children et. al. v. New York OCFS: NACC joined partners in an amicus brief challenging a “host homes” regulation that exceeded its authority and included insufficient due process protections.
Counsel for Kids Update
Hawai’i makes strides to expand youth access to counsel. HB 1565/SB2678 would establish and appropriate funds for a working group that will review and consider access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system, examine practices of other jurisdictions, and conduct site visits to selected jurisdictions to identify possible practices to implement. Both the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness (February 9) and also the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (February 13) passed the House bill. It will now move to the Finance Committee. The Committee on Judiciary (February 12) passed the Senate companion bill, which now awaits a hearing by the Ways and Means Committee. Advocates are thrilled with the bills’ progress and that it received only minor amendments. See NACC’s written testimony in support of the proposals.
Illinois takes a small step for youth in out-of-state placements. HB 4966 includes a provision to guarantee the right to client-directed counsel for youth eight and older placed out-of-state. The bill underscores the state’s continuing responsibility to children in out-of-state placements to ensure they are not subjected to foreseeable harm, discrimination, or denial of care that would be lawful and medically appropriate under Illinois law. The bill was referred to the House Rules committee on February 6.
Utah seeks to expand access to client-directed counsel for youth 8 and older. HB 372, among other things, would require an attorney guardian ad litem to represent the expressed interests of a minor that is at least eight years old, rather than the minor’s best interest. House Rules introduced the bill through a first reading on January 26; it was later assigned to House Judiciary for a second reading on February 12.
Arizona advocates challenge rollback of counsel for kids. SB 1234 would reverse the 2021 system reform that mandated the appointment of client-directed children’s attorneys to all children in dependency matters. The proposal would now require the appointment of a guardian ad litem attorney and make any appointments of client-directed counsel discretionary. The bill was assigned to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Elections and was rescheduled twice before being heard on February 20, where the committee considered and passed the bill. NACC joined numerous advocates in submitting written opposition testimony. Lawmakers can still stop the proposal at the floor vote.
Colorado defends youth rights. HB26-1227 would clarify that, as parties to a dependency and neglect case, youth have standing to protect all their interests through their guardian ad litem or attorney. The proposal ensures that youth have due process and procedural rights that allow their full participation in their own proceeding, including the right to request a hearing when objecting to the dismissal of their dependency and neglect proceeding. This alleviates the agency’s unilateral authority to dismiss a case prior to adjudication over the objection of the child. The House Health and Human Services Committee will hear the bill on March 3.