79R3441 JMM-D

By:  Puente                                                       H.B. No. 614



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 executive commissioner of the Health and Human 
Services Commission [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, 2005.