By Wilson H.B. No. 714 77R4231 KKA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to foster care for a child who resides with a relative. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 264.113 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 264.113. KINSHIP FOSTER CARE. (a) The department 1-7 shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that a child is placed in 1-8 foster care with a relative whenever possible. 1-9 (b) The department shall develop an accelerated process to 1-10 certify as a foster home the home of a relative who is providing 1-11 foster care for a child. The certification process may not be as 1-12 stringent as the routine certification process for other foster 1-13 homes. 1-14 (c) The department by rule shall provide for immediate 1-15 foster care payments under this subchapter for a person who is 1-16 providing foster care for a child who is a relative. 1-17 (d) The department by rule may provide for a waiver of the 1-18 foster home certification requirements when a child is placed in 1-19 foster care with a relative. 1-20 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.