Texas House Bill HB3936

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to monetary assistance by the Department of Family and Protective Services provided to foster parents and relative or designated caregivers for day-care services.

Impact

By passing HB3936, the Texas legislature would enhance the financial support structure for foster care providers. This bill responds to the need for improved resources for day care, recognizing the diversity of care arrangements that foster parents and caregivers may require. The intended outcome is to streamline access to financial support, thereby alleviating some burden from caregivers who play a crucial role in the welfare of foster children.

Summary

House Bill 3936 aims to amend the Texas Family Code to provide monetary assistance for day-care services to foster parents and relative or designated caregivers. This bill stipulates that foster parents cannot be denied this assistance based on their weekly work hours, thus ensuring that they can choose the type of day care that best fits the needs of the child. This change is intended to give more flexibility and support to those providing foster care and caring for relatives or designated children.

Contention

A notable aspect of HB3936 is its focus on ensuring that monetary assistance is not connected to the number of hours a caregiver works. While this could be viewed positively, there may be concerns regarding the allocation of state resources and whether it will sufficiently cover the varying costs associated with day care in different regions. Additionally, discussions may arise around the implications for the Department of Family and Protective Services in managing these funds and ensuring they are utilized effectively.