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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the payment of support rights and benefits for a child |
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placed with a relative or other designated caregiver. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.109(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Section 264.763, the [The] |
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placement of a child in substitute care by the department |
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constitutes an assignment to the state of any support rights |
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attributable to the child as of the date the child is placed in |
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substitute care. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 264.763 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 264.763. PAYMENT OF CHILD'S SUPPORT RIGHTS AND |
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BENEFITS. A relative or other designated caregiver is eligible to |
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receive support and benefits on behalf of a child placed with the |
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person by the department. The department shall facilitate: |
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(1) the assignment to the relative or other designated |
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caregiver of any support rights attributable to the child; and |
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(2) the designation of the relative or other |
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designated caregiver as the representative payee for any programs, |
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services, and payments to which the child is entitled or that are |
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paid for the benefit of the child, including Supplemental Security |
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Income (SSI) benefits under 42 U.S.C. Section 1381 et seq. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |