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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain grandparents for foster care |
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payments. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.101, Family Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) The department may pay the cost of foster care for a |
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child: |
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(1) for whom the department has initiated a suit and |
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has been named managing conservator under an order rendered under |
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this title, who is a resident of the state, and who has been placed |
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by the department: |
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(A) in a foster home or child-care institution, |
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as defined by Chapter 42, Human Resources Code; or |
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(B) with a grandparent of the child; or |
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(2) who is under the placement and care of a state |
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agency or political subdivision with which the department has |
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entered into an agreement to reimburse the cost of care and |
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supervision of the child. |
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(a-2) In paying for foster care provided by a grandparent, |
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the department may give priority to providing payment to |
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grandparents with incomes below the federal poverty level who do |
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not have access to other forms of financial assistance. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |