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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 the transition plan for |
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each youth 16 years of age or older includes provisions to assist |
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the youth in managing the youth's housing needs after the youth |
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leaves foster care, including provisions that: |
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(1) identify 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) if the youth's housing goals include residing with |
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family or friends, state that the department has addressed the |
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following with the youth: |
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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) inform the youth about emergency shelters and |
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housing resources, including supervised independent living and |
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housing at colleges and universities, such as dormitories; |
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(4) require the department to review a common rental |
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application with the youth and ensure that the youth possesses all |
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of the documentation required to obtain rental housing; and |
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(5) identify any individuals who are able to serve as |
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cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1117 passed the Senate on |
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April 7, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1117 passed the House on |
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May 8, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 1, two present |
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not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |