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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 996
By: Lindsay
Human Services
3/18/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.  C.S.S.B. 996 would
request the biological parents of the child 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; but would require
the department to pay the expenses if the parents cannot. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 996 sets forth requirements 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 the Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services (department) to request the
biological parents 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.  Requires the biological parents, if they have an
insurance policy or savings account for the child, to spend these resources
on funeral expenses.  Requires the 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, if the biological parents
cannot pay the funeral expenses.  Authorizes the department to accept
donations, gifts, or in-kind expenses in relation to funeral expenses for
children for whom the department has been appointed managing conservator.   

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.  

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 264.012, Family Code, to require the department to request
the biological parents 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.  Requires the biological parents, if they have an
insurance policy or savings account for the child, to spend these resources
on funeral expenses.  Requires the 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, if the biological parents
cannot pay the funeral expenses.  Authorizes the department to accept
donations, gifts, or in-kind expenses in relation to funeral expenses for
children for whom the department has been appointed managing conservator.