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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) and (b-2) and amending Subsection (c) to |
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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 regarding: |
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(1) the manner in which the department shall pay the |
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subsidy under that subsection; and |
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(2) any documentation required to be provided by an |
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adoptive parent as proof that the subsidy is used to obtain and |
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maintain health benefits coverage for the adopted child. |
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(c) In addition to the subsidies [subsidy] under |
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Subsections [Subsection] (b) and (b-1), the department may |
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subsidize the cost of medical care for a child. The department |
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shall determine the amount and need for the subsidy under this |
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subsection. |
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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. |