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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the Preparation for Adult Living Program and other |
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services for foster children transitioning to independent living. |
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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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amending Subsections (a-2) and (i) and adding Subsection (j) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a-2) The experiential life-skills training under |
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Subsection (a-1) must include: |
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(1) a financial literacy education program developed |
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in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner |
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and the State Securities Board that: |
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(A) includes instruction on: |
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(i) obtaining and interpreting a credit |
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score, including information about different scores produced by |
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credit reporting agencies; |
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(ii) protecting, repairing, and improving a |
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credit score; |
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(iii) the risks of payday loans, unsecured |
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loans, and motor vehicle title loans; |
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(iv) avoiding predatory lending practices, |
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including an explanation of interest rates and usurious interest; |
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(v) identifying and avoiding financial |
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scams; |
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(vi) [(iv)] saving money and accomplishing |
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financial goals through prudent financial management practices; |
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(vii) [(v)] using basic banking and |
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accounting skills, including opening and using a bank account, |
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balancing a checkbook, and creating a balanced budget; |
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(viii) [(vi)] using debit and credit cards |
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responsibly; |
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(ix) [(vii)] understanding a paycheck and |
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items withheld from a paycheck; |
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(x) [(viii)] understanding the time |
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requirements and process for filing federal taxes; |
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(xi) [(ix)] protecting financial, credit, |
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and personally identifying information in personal and |
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professional relationships and online; |
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(xii) [(x)] forms of identity and credit |
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theft; and |
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(xiii) [(xi)] using insurance to protect |
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against the risk of financial loss; and |
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(B) assists a youth who has a source of income to: |
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(i) establish a savings plan and, if |
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available, a savings account that the youth can independently |
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manage; and |
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(ii) prepare a monthly budget that includes |
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the following expenses: |
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(a) rent based on the monthly rent for |
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an apartment advertised for lease during the preceding month; |
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(b) utilities based on a reasonable |
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utility bill in the area in which the youth resides; |
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(c) telephone service based on a |
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reasonable bill for telephone service in the area in which the youth |
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resides; |
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(d) Internet service based on a |
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reasonable bill for Internet service in the area in which the youth |
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resides; and |
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(e) other reasonable monthly |
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expenses; and |
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(2) for youth who are 17 years of age or older, lessons |
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related to: |
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(A) financing a motor vehicle, including |
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information about the types of financing available for the purchase |
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of a motor vehicle and the risks of subprime and buy-here-pay-here |
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motor vehicle loans; |
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(B) insurance, including applying for and |
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obtaining motor vehicle [automobile] insurance and residential |
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property insurance, including tenants insurance; |
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(C) [(B)] civic engagement, including the |
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process for registering to vote, the places to vote, and resources |
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for information regarding upcoming elections; and |
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(D) [(C)] the documents the youth is required to |
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receive under Subsection (e-1) prior to being discharged from |
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foster care and how those documents may be used. |
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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 and a common rental contract with the youth and ensure |
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that the youth possesses all of the documentation required to |
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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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(j) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for |
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each youth 16 years of age or older includes information about |
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securing or transferring governmental assistance the youth may |
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qualify for, including: |
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(1) social security benefits; |
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(2) veteran or service member benefits; |
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(3) supplemental nutrition assistance; |
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(4) special supplemental nutrition assistance for |
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women, infants, and children; |
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(5) temporary assistance for needy families; and |
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(6) housing assistance. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |