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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Davis, Wendy |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has 30 days after a child is discharged from foster care to provide the child copies of their birth certificate, immunization records, and information found in the child's health passport. This is a problem because it is essential that children receive their personal records before leaving the conservatorship of the state.
S.B. 983 requires DFPS to provide children aging out of the foster care system within certain personal records and identification documents at least 30 days before leaving the care of the state as an adult. This bill also requires DFPS, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Department of Public Safety to cooperate in developing a plan to ensure children under permanent managing conservatorship of DFPS are provided the opportunity to take a driver's education course to obtain a driver's license before they leave conservatorship. The bill requires DFPS to report to the legislature on the plan.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 264.014, Family Code, to require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), if, at the time a child is discharged from foster care, the child is at least 18 years of age or has had the disabilities of minority removed, to provide the child, not later than the 30th day before, rather than after, the date the child is discharged from foster care, a copy of certain documents and information, including a personal identification certificate under Chapter 521 (Driver's Licenses and Certificates), Transportation Code, and a social security card or a replacement social security card, if appropriate, and proof of enrollment in Medicaid, if appropriate.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires DFPS, in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency and the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, to develop a plan to ensure that each child in permanent managing conservatorship of DFPS is provided the opportunity to complete a driver's education course and to obtain a driver's license before the child leaves conservatorship.
(b) Requires DFPS, not later than December 1, 2010, to report to the legislature the results of the plan under Subsection (a) of this section. Requires that the report include cost estimates for providing the driver's education and methods for obtaining affordable liability insurance for foster children.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2009.