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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to housing services provided through the transitional |
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living services program to certain children in the conservatorship |
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of the Department of Family and Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
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(i) The department shall ensure that each youth's |
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transition plan includes a housing stability plan that: |
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(1) identifies the cost of housing in relation to the |
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youth's sources of income, including any benefits or rental |
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assistance available to the youth; |
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(2) identifies any housing agreement that the youth |
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has entered into with family or friends and ensures that in making |
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the agreement the youth has considered: |
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(A) the length of time the youth expects to stay |
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in the housing arrangement; |
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(B) expectations for the youth regarding paying |
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rent and meeting other household obligations; |
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(C) the youth's psychological and emotional |
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needs, as applicable; and |
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(D) any potential conflicts with other household |
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members, or any difficulties connected to the type of housing the |
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youth is seeking, that may arise based on the youth's psychological |
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and emotional needs; |
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(3) informs the youth about emergency shelters and |
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housing resources; |
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(4) ensures that the youth understands a common rental |
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application and possesses all of the documentation required to |
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successfully obtain rental housing; and |
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(5) identifies any individuals who are able to serve |
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as cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |