83R2842 YDB-D
 
  By: Guillen H.B. No. 764
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to verification of the unavailability of community day
  care before the Department of Family and Protective Services
  provides day-care assistance or services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.124 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.124.  DAY CARE FOR FOSTER CHILD. (a) In this
  section, "day care" means the assessment, care, training,
  education, custody, treatment, or supervision of a foster child by
  a person other than the child's foster parent for less than 24 hours
  a day, but at least two hours a day, three or more days a week.
         (b)  The department, in accordance with executive
  commissioner rule, shall implement a process to verify that each
  foster parent who is seeking monetary assistance from the
  department for day care for a foster child has attempted to find
  appropriate day-care services for the foster child through
  community services, including Head Start programs, prekindergarten
  classes, and early education programs offered in public schools.  
  The department shall specify the documentation the foster parent
  must provide to the department to demonstrate compliance with the
  requirements established under this subsection.
         (c)  The department may not provide monetary assistance to a
  foster parent for day care for a foster child unless the department
  receives the verification required under Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  Section 264.755, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  The department, in accordance with executive
  commissioner rule, shall implement a process to verify that each
  relative and designated caregiver who is seeking monetary
  assistance or additional support services from the department for
  day care as defined by Section 264.124 for a child under this
  section has attempted to find appropriate day-care services for the
  child through community services, including Head Start programs,
  prekindergarten classes, and early education programs offered in
  public schools.  The department shall specify the documentation the
  relative or designated caregiver must provide to the department to
  demonstrate compliance with the requirements established under
  this subsection.  The department may not provide monetary
  assistance or additional support services to the relative or
  designated caregiver for the day care unless the department
  receives the required verification.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.