By: Lucio S.B. No. 723
 
 
 
   
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring that the Department of Family and Protective
Services maintain and report certain information in connection with
the placement of children.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.759 to read as follows:
       Sec. 264.759.  RECORDS OF PLACEMENTS THAT FAIL FOR FINANCIAL
REASONS. (a)  The department shall record each instance in which a
placement under this subchapter is not able to be made solely
because the relative or designated caregiver cannot afford to care
for the child. The department shall document, if possible, the
amount of monetary assistance and reimbursement to which the
caregiver would be entitled and the amount of assistance that would
have made the placement affordable for the caregiver.
       (b)  The department shall compile statistics based on the
information recorded under this section and shall report annually
to the legislature regarding proposed placements that are not made
in the preceding year due to financial reasons. The report required
under this subsection may be made in conjunction with other reports
the department is required to submit to the legislature.
       SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a placement under Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, that is
proposed 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, 2007.