S.B. No. 983
AN ACT
relating to providing certain documents and training to children in
the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective
Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.014, Family Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 264.014. PROVISION OF COPIES OF CERTAIN RECORDS. If,
at the time a child is discharged from foster care, the child is at
least 18 years of age or has had the disabilities of minority
removed, the department shall provide to the child, not later than
the 30th day before [after] the date the child is discharged from
foster care, a copy of:
(1) the child's birth certificate;
(2) the child's immunization records; [and]
(3) the information contained in the child's health
passport;
(4) a personal identification certificate under
Chapter 521, Transportation Code;
(5) a social security card or a replacement social
security card, if appropriate; and
(6) proof of enrollment in Medicaid, if appropriate.
SECTION 2. (a) The Department of Family and Protective
Services, in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency and the
Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, shall develop a
plan to ensure that each child in the permanent managing
conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services
is provided the opportunity to complete a driver's education course
and to obtain a driver's license before the child leaves
conservatorship.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2010, the Department of
Family and Protective Services shall report to the legislature the
results of the plan under Subsection (a) of this section. The
report must include cost estimates for providing the driver's
education and methods for obtaining affordable liability insurance
for foster children.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act to Section
264.014, Family Code, apply to any child in the conservatorship of
the Department of Family and Protective Services on or after the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 983 passed the Senate on
April 16, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 983 passed the House on
May 5, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor