| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the provision of shelter or care to a minor by an |
|
|
emergency shelter facility. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Sections 32.201(a) and (c), Family Code, are |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(a) An emergency shelter facility may provide shelter and |
|
|
care to a minor and the minor's child or children, if any accompany |
|
|
the minor. |
|
|
(c) Shelter or care provided under this section may not be |
|
|
provided after the 30th [15th] day after the date the shelter or |
|
|
care is commenced unless: |
|
|
(1) the facility receives consent to continue services |
|
|
from the minor in accordance with Section 32.202; or |
|
|
(2) the minor has qualified for financial assistance |
|
|
under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and is on the waiting list |
|
|
for housing assistance. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 32.202(a), Family Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(a) A minor may consent to emergency shelter or care to be |
|
|
provided to the minor or the minor's child or children, if any |
|
|
accompany the minor, under Section 32.201(c) if the minor is: |
|
|
(1) 16 years of age or older and: |
|
|
(A) resides separate and apart from the minor's |
|
|
parent, managing conservator, or guardian, regardless of whether |
|
|
the parent, managing conservator, or guardian consents to the |
|
|
residence and regardless of the duration of the residence; and |
|
|
(B) manages the minor's own financial affairs, |
|
|
regardless of the source of income; or |
|
|
(2) unmarried and is pregnant or is the parent of a |
|
|
child. |
|
|
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to |
|
|
emergency shelter or care provided to a minor by an emergency |
|
|
shelter facility on or after the effective date of this Act, |
|
|
regardless of whether the shelter or care commenced before, on, or |
|
|
after that date. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |