78R4541 KLA-D
By: Puente H.B. No. 992
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to foster care payments for certain children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.101, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(a-1) The department shall continue to pay the cost of
foster care for a child for whom the department provides care,
including medical care, after the child becomes 18 years of age if
the child is enrolled in an accredited secondary school in a program
leading toward a high school diploma.
(d) The Board of Protective and Regulatory Services may
adopt rules that establish criteria and guidelines for the payment
of foster care, including medical care, for a child and for
providing care for a child after the child becomes 18 years of age
if the child is regularly attending [high school,] an institution
of higher education[,] or a vocational or technical program.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a child who is in foster care on or after the effective date of
this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.