AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Texas receives Title IV-E funding for foster care and adoption services, but the funding cannot be used for prevention or reunification services without proper waivers. This bill seeks to address this limitation on Title IV-E funding by directing the Department of Family and Protective Services to seek an appropriate Title IV-E waiver.
H.B. 748 adds a temporary provision, expiring in December 31, 2015, to require the Department of Family and Protective Services to pursue a waiver to allow the agency to use federal Title IV-E funds to conduct demonstration projects accomplishing one or more of the following goals:
· increasing permanency by reducing time in foster placements and promoting successful transitions to adulthood for older youth;
· increasing positive outcomes for children and families in their homes and communities, and improve the safety and well-being of children; and
· preventing child abuse and neglect and the reentry of children into foster care.
H.B. 748 amends current law relating to a waiver allowing the Department of Family and Protective Services to use certain federal funds to test innovation strategies in child welfare programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 40.074, as follows:
Sec. 40.074. WAIVER TO USE FUNDS TO TEST INNOVATIONS TO CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. (a) Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to apply for and actively pursue a waiver, as authorized by the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Pub. L. No. 112-34), to allow DFPS to use federal funds available under Title IV-E, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq.), to conduct demonstration projects to accomplish one or more of the following goals:
(1) providing more permanency for children by reducing time in foster care and promoting successful transitions to adulthood for former foster youth;
(2) increasing positive outcomes for infants, children, and families in their homes and communities and increasing the safety and well-being of infants, children, and youth; and
(3) preventing child abuse and neglect and the reentry of children into foster care.
(b) Provides that this section expires December 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.