Texas House Bill HB187

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/12/08

Caption

Relating to a subsidy under an adoption assistance agreement for certain adoptive parents of children in foster care.

Impact

The amended legislation would impact both the state foster care system and the financial viability of adoption for lower-income families. By enabling financial assistance at a higher income level, the bill aims to encourage more adoptions from foster care, thereby reducing the number of children awaiting permanent homes. The subsidy, which mirrors the payments typically made to foster parents, is intended to make the transition to adoption more feasible for families with limited resources.

Summary

House Bill 187 proposes amendments to the Family Code regarding the adoption assistance agreements available to adoptive parents of children in foster care. The key change involves increasing the eligibility for a subsidy by allowing adoptive parents whose family income is less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level to receive financial assistance. This is particularly important for intended adopters who would otherwise have seen a child remain in foster care until they reach the age of 18, incurring costs for care that the state would typically fund during that time.

Contention

Despite its noble intent, the bill may face scrutiny related to its implementation – primarily concerning the administrative burden that will arise in determining eligibility based on family income and how subsidies are allocated. Additionally, some legislators may question whether the subsidy is sufficient to incentivize adoptions compared to the overall costs of raising an adopted child, leading to discussions about potential reforms needed to support adoptive families more comprehensively.