So far, young people who live in a foster family or in a child and youth welfare facility or other form of housing and have their own income - for example during vocational training - have been charged for the costs of child and youth welfare services. They have to give up up to a quarter of their income. The spouses and life partners of those affected can also be asked to pay. The Bundestag has now abolished all of this.

"If young people grow up outside their family of origin, they already have to deal with additional challenges and thus have a more difficult start in an independent life," the bill said. "This start is made even more difficult if they have to give up part of their income, which they earn, for example, as part of a school or holiday job or their training."