Texas Senate Bill SB1411

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/15/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/29/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/14/09

Caption

Relating to financial assistance programs in connection with certain children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Impact

The bill has significant potential implications for state laws governing child welfare and adoption assistance. By extending financial support to young adults up to the age of 21 if they maintain certain educational or employment activities, SB1411 is aligned with modern understandings of the challenges faced by youth transitioning out of foster care. This change presents an opportunity to reduce potential pitfalls associated with early independence, such as homelessness or lack of employment, by providing a safety net.

Summary

SB1411 seeks to amend the Family Code regarding financial assistance programs specifically related to children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. The bill expands the eligibility for adoption assistance for children aged 18 to 21, if they meet certain criteria such as being enrolled in school or being employed. It makes provisions to ensure that adoptive parents continue to receive necessary financial support even after their children reach adulthood, thus allowing for a smoother transition into independence for these youths from foster care systems.

Contention

Despite the favorable intentions of the bill, there may be points of contention regarding the funding and implementation of these extended assistance programs. If the legislature does not allocate sufficient funds for these provisions, the Department will only be able to assist certain cases, potentially leaving behind many who could greatly benefit from the assistance. Furthermore, reliance on state appropriations to fund these initiatives may become a barrier to effective implementation, leading to debates among lawmakers about prioritization of budgetary resources.