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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 the transition plan of |
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each youth age 16 and older includes provisions to assist the youth |
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in managing housing needs after leaving foster care including: |
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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) identify if one of the housing goals of the youth |
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is to live with family or friends, that the department has addressed |
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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; |
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(4) review a common rental application with the youth |
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and ensure they possess all of the documentation required to obtain |
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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. |