Texas House Bill HB3552

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the foster care payment rate for certain foster parents and the reimbursement of certain expenses for the foster parent; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

The implications of HB 3552 on state laws primarily concern the Family Code, specifically how foster care reimbursement is calculated and distributed. The bill's amendments aim to ensure foster parents are compensated fairly for the expenses incurred while providing care for foster children, particularly when these children are involved in various enrichment activities. This financial adjustment is intended to relieve some of the financial burdens that foster parents face, potentially improving the quality of care for children in the foster system.

Summary

House Bill 3552 addresses the foster care payment rates for specific foster parents and introduces a reimbursement mechanism for their expenses related to the participation of foster children in enrichment activities. The bill establishes a tiered reimbursement structure whereby foster parents receive 100% payment for the first child placed, decreasing to 20% for the fifth child placed, and no additional payments for more than five children. This change aims to streamline the payment process and provide clearer guidelines for financial support offered to foster parents.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB 3552 may arise from the scaling down of reimbursements for additional foster children beyond the first. Critics may argue that the reduced payment for subsequent children could dissuade foster parents from accepting more children, which could exacerbate existing issues within the foster care system, like overcrowding or inadequate placement for children. Additionally, the introduction of a criminal offense related to fraudulent claims for reimbursements may lead to discussions on the enforcement mechanisms and the potential stigmatization of honest foster parents.