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.