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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to monetary assistance provided by the Department of |
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Family and Protective Services to certain parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 264.209 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 264.209. MONITORED RETURN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) If |
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a court has rendered an order under Section 263.403 providing for |
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the monitored return of a child to a parent, the department shall |
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provide monetary assistance under this section for the duration of |
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the monitoring period to a parent who: |
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(1) has a family income that is less than or equal to |
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300 percent of the federal poverty level; and |
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(2) demonstrates to the department that economic |
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factors, including unemployment or inability to afford housing, |
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transportation, utilities, food, medical care, mental health care, |
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or child care are a significant barrier to reunification. |
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(b) The department shall disburse monetary assistance |
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provided to a parent under Subsection (a) in the same manner as the |
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department disburses payments to a foster parent, including making |
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a rate increase effective on the same date the department |
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implements a rate increase for the minimum daily foster care |
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reimbursement rate. Monetary assistance provided to the parent may |
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not exceed 50 percent of the department's daily basic foster care |
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rate for the care of a child. |
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(c) The department, at its discretion and for good cause, |
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may extend the monetary assistance payments for a time period not to |
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exceed an additional six months after the date the case is dismissed |
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to support family stability after reunification. The department |
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shall decrease the monetary assistance provided to the parent by 25 |
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percent each month the monetary assistance payments are extended |
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under this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an |
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order rendered under Section 263.403, Family Code, regardless of |
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whether the order was rendered before, on, or after the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |