By: Frank H.B. No. 2655
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to day care assistance and to requiring the Department of
  Family and Protective Services to study the effectiveness of the
  relative and other designated caregiver program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.761 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.761.  STUDY OF PROGRAM.  (a)  The department shall
  study the effectiveness of the relative and other designated
  caregiver placement program created by this subchapter and make
  recommendations on improvements to the program.  Any such
  improvements should be designed to minimize the number of
  placements for each child, maximize efficiency in distribution of
  any monetary or other assistance for which caregivers qualify,
  facilitate safe and permanent exit from the managing
  conservatorship of the department in as timely a fashion as
  possible, and prepare caregivers for verification necessary to
  receive for foster care maintenance reimbursement.  The
  recommendations may include increases to the dollar amount of
  assistance as well as the identification of automated or other
  processes designed to speed the payment of assistance.
         (b)  The department shall report its findings and
  recommendations to the legislature not later than January 1, 2017.
         (c)  This section expires September 1, 2017.