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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a subsidy for health benefits coverage for certain |
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adopted children. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 162.304, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (g) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) The department shall pay a $150 subsidy each month for |
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the premiums for health benefits coverage for a child with respect |
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to whom a court has entered a final order of adoption if the child: |
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(1) was in the conservatorship of the department at |
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the time of the child's adoptive placement; |
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(2) after the adoption, is not eligible for medical |
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assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code; and |
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(3) is younger than 18 years of age. |
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(b-2) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement |
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Subsection (b-1), including rules that: |
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(1) limit eligibility for the subsidy under that |
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subsection to a child whose adoptive family income is less than 300 |
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percent of the federal poverty level; |
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(2) provide for the manner in which the department |
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shall pay the subsidy under that subsection; and |
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(3) specify any documentation required to be provided |
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by an adoptive parent as proof that the subsidy is used to obtain |
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and maintain health benefits coverage for the adopted child. |
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(g) A child for whom a subsidy is provided under Subsection |
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(b-1) for premiums for health benefits coverage and who does not |
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receive any other subsidy under this section is not considered to be |
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the subject of an adoption assistance agreement for any other |
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purpose, including for determining eligibility for the exemption |
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from payment of tuition and fees for higher education under Section |
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54.2111, Education Code. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to financial and medical assistance available under Section |
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162.304, Family Code, as amended by this Act, for a child for whom a |
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final order of adoption is entered on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. Financial and medical assistance for a child for whom a |
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final order of adoption is entered before the effective date of this |
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Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the order was |
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entered, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |