SRC-DBM S.B. 996 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 996
76R8662  CMR-DBy: Lindsay
Human Services
3/15/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
(department) may pay reasonable funeral expenses for a child for whom the
department has been appointed managing conservator and who dies while in
foster care.  Since these children are in the legal custody of the state,
the state is obligated to pay their funeral expenses.  S.B. 996 would
require the department to pay for reasonable and necessary funeral expenses
for a foster child who dies in foster care while the department has been
appointed managing conservator. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 996 provides funds for funeral expenses of children in
foster care. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 264.012, Family Code, to require, rather than
authorize, the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
(department) to spend funds appropriated for the child protective services
program to pay reasonable and necessary funeral expenses for a child for
whom the department has been appointed managing conservator and who dies in
foster care. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.