Senate Bill 854 would create a savings account for kids who’ve lost a parent or permanent caregiver to COVID-19. Youth in long-term foster care also would be eligible.
Kids under 9 would receive $4,000 in an account. Kids 10 to 17 years old would receive $8,000 that they could access when they turn 18.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner, who introduced the bill, said 67% of kids who’ve lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID were kids of color and kids of low-wage workers.