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.