SRC-TAG, TJG S.B. 58 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 58
78R1412 KEG-DBy: Zaffirini
Health and Human Services
4/8/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 50 percent of Texas' foster care children are placed with a
relative; however, the state provides no services and benefits to the
relative family.   As proposed, S.B. 58 requires the Texas Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services to implement a "Kinship Care" program
that provides financial support and case management to family members who
take a foster child into their home for care. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services in SECTION 1 (Section 264.802, Family Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 264, Family Code, by adding Subchapter J, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER J.  RELATIVE CAREGIVER PLACEMENT PROGRAM

 Sec. 264.801.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "relative" and "relative caregiver."

Sec. 264.802.  RELATIVE CAREGIVER PLACEMENT PROGRAM.  (a) Requires the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) to develop and
administer a program to promote placing children for whom DPRS is
appointed managing conservator with relative caregivers and to facilitate
relative caregiver placements by providing assistance and services to
those caregivers in accordance with this subchapter and department rules. 

(b) Requires DPRS to adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.
Requires the rules to include eligibility criteria for receiving
assistance and services under this subchapter. 

Sec. 264.803.  INVESTIGATION OF PROPOSED PLACEMENT.  Requires DPRS, before
placing a child with a proposed relative caregiver, to conduct an
investigation to determine whether the proposed placement is in the
child's best interests. 

Sec. 264.804.  RELATIVE CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.  Requires DPRS to
enter into a relative caregiver assistance agreement with each relative
caregiver to provide monetary assistance and additional support services
to the relative caregiver. Authorizes the monetary assistance and support
services to include certain benefits and services. 

Sec. 246.805.  COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.  Requires DPRS to
coordinate with other health and human services agencies to provide
assistance and services under this subchapter. 

Sec. 264.806.  FUNDS.  Requires DPRS and other state agencies to actively
seek and use federal funds available for the purposes of this subchapter. 

 SECTION 2.  Requires DPRS, not later than December 1, 2003, to adopt
rules for implementing and administering the relative caregiver placement
program under Chapter 264J, Family Code, as added by this Act. 

SECTION 3.  (a) Requires DPRS, not later than March 1, 2004, to implement
the relative caregiver placement program in accordance with Chapter 264J,
Family Code, as added by this Act, in certain administrative regions
designated by DPRS. 

(b) Requires DPRS, not later than March 1, 2005, to implement the relative
caregiver placement program statewide in accordance with Chapter 264J,
Family Code, as added by this Act.  

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.