79R6156 KKA-D

By:  West, Royce                                                  S.B. No. 820



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain grandparents for foster care 
payments.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 264.101, Family Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  The department may pay the cost of foster care for a 
child:             
		(1)  for whom the department has initiated a suit and 
has been named managing conservator under an order rendered under 
this title, who is a resident of the state, and who has been placed 
by the department:
			(A)  in a foster home or child-care institution, 
as defined by Chapter 42, Human Resources Code; or
			(B)  with a grandparent of the child; or                              
		(2)  who is under the placement and care of a state 
agency or political subdivision with which the department has 
entered into an agreement to reimburse the cost of care and 
supervision of the child.
	(d-1) In paying for foster care provided by a grandparent, 
the department may give priority to providing payment to 
grandparents with incomes below the federal poverty level who do 
not have access to other forms of financial assistance.
	SECTION 2.  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.