Teen who aged out of foster care helps pass two new Tennessee laws

From Local 3 News: For many teens, turning 18 is a celebration. For Ella Brinen, it marked the moment she officially aged out of Tennessee’s foster care system — without a family to support her, a place to land, or a roadmap for what came next.

Now 19, Brinen is helping change what that future looks like for others like her.

Two bills aimed at improving life for foster youth passed unanimously in the Tennessee General Assembly this week, largely thanks to Brinen’s advocacy.

The first — known as the Foster Youth Bill of Rights — ensures children in state custody are informed of their legal rights, including access to education, housing, and medical care. The law also guarantees that youth can report mistreatment without fear of retaliation.

Brinen, who spent her teenage years in foster care, worked with state advocates over the past year to shape the bill based on real experiences shared by young people in the system.

“I didn’t want anyone else to feel the way I did — like they didn’t matter,” Brinen told Local 3 News in an earlier interview.

A second bill extends transitional services for former foster youth from age 21 to 23. That includes access to housing assistance, health care coverage, and higher education support — critical services for young adults who often face homelessness or instability after aging out of care.

Both bills are now headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for signature.

While legislative victories are rare for someone barely out of their teens, Brinen said this is just the beginning. She’s now focused on spreading awareness about the new laws and making sure foster youth across the state know their rights — and their worth.