By: Frank, Guillen (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.B. No. 2655

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2015; May 7, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; May 21, 2015, rereferred to Committee on Intergovernmental Relations; May 25, 2015, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 25, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the Department of Family and Protective Services to study the effectiveness of the relative and other designated caregiver placement 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 to the legislature for improving the program. The recommended improvements must be designed to minimize the number of placements for each child, maximize efficiency in the distribution of any monetary or other assistance for which caregivers qualify, facilitate a safe and permanent exit from the managing conservatorship of the department in as timely a fashion as possible, and assist caregivers in obtaining the verification necessary to qualify for foster care maintenance reimbursement. The recommendations may include increases in the amount of assistance and 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.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

* * * * *