Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2061 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	81R9788 MCK-D
2	2	By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 2061
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to financial assistance for voluntary caregivers of a
8	8	child during an investigation by the Department of Family and
9	9	Protective Services.
10	10	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
11	11	SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family
12	12	Code, is amended to read as follows:
13	13	SUBCHAPTER I. RELATIVE AND OTHER DESIGNATED CAREGIVER
14	14	PLACEMENT PROGRAM; VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT PROGRAM
15	15	SECTION 2. Section 264.751, Family Code, is amended by
16	16	adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:
17	17	(4) "Voluntary caregiver" means a person with whom a
18	18	parent or other person with legal custody of a child who is the
19	19	subject of an investigation by the department under Chapter 261
20	20	voluntarily places the child to prevent the possible removal of the
21	21	child by the department.
22	22	SECTION 3. Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
23	23	amended by adding Section 264.7521 to read as follows:
24	24	Sec. 264.7521. VOLUNTARY CAREGIVER PLACEMENT PROGRAM. (a)
25	25	The department shall develop a program to:
26	26	(1) promote temporary stability for each child who is
27	27	not in the conservatorship of the department but is placed
28	28	voluntarily with a relative or other adult with whom the child has a
29	29	longstanding and significant relationship; and
30	30	(2) facilitate voluntary caregiver placements by
31	31	providing assistance and services to those caregivers.
32	32	(b) To be eligible for assistance and services under this
33	33	section, a voluntary caregiver must:
34	34	(1) provide voluntary care for at least 60 days; and
35	35	(2) meet additional eligibility criteria established
36	36	by rule.
37	37	(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
38	38	to implement this section. The rules must:
39	39	(1) include eligibility criteria for receiving
40	40	assistance and services under this section; and
41	41	(2) provide that assistance and services under this
42	42	section may be provided only while the department is conducting an
43	43	investigation of or providing family-based safety services to a
44	44	parent, managing conservator, possessory conservator, guardian,
45	45	caretaker, or custodian of the child.
46	46	SECTION 4. Sections 264.755(a) and (b), Family Code, are
47	47	amended to read as follows:
48	48	(a) The department shall, subject to the availability of
49	49	funds, enter into a caregiver assistance agreement with each
50	50	relative caregiver, [or other] designated caregiver, or voluntary
51	51	caregiver to provide monetary assistance and additional support
52	52	services to the caregiver. The monetary assistance and support
53	53	services shall be based on a family's need, as determined by rules
54	54	adopted by the executive commissioner.
55	55	(b) Monetary assistance provided under this section must
56	56	include a one-time cash payment of not more than $1,000 to the
57	57	caregiver on the initial placement of a child or a sibling
58	58	group. The cash payment must be provided on the initial placement
59	59	of each child with the relative caregiver or designated caregiver,
60	60	or on the 60th day after the date the child is placed with a
61	61	voluntary caregiver, and is provided to assist the caregiver in
62	62	purchasing essential child-care items such as furniture and
63	63	clothing.
64	64	SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.