S.B. No. 1589
AN ACT
relating to assistance and education regarding personal finance for
certain children in foster care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a-1) and (f) and adding Subsection (a-2) to
read as follows:
(a-1) The department shall require a foster care provider to
provide or assist youth who are age 14 or older in obtaining
experiential life-skills training to improve their transition to
independent living. Experiential life-skills training must be
tailored to a youth's skills and abilities and may include training
in practical activities that include grocery shopping, meal
preparation and cooking, using public transportation, and
performing basic household tasks[, and balancing a checkbook].
(a-2) The experiential life-skills training under
Subsection (a-1) must include a financial literacy education
program that:
(1) includes instruction on:
(A) obtaining and interpreting a credit score;
(B) protecting, repairing, and improving a
credit score;
(C) avoiding predatory lending practices;
(D) saving money and accomplishing financial
goals through prudent financial management practices;
(E) using basic banking and accounting skills,
including balancing a checkbook;
(F) using debit and credit cards responsibly;
(G) understanding a paycheck and items withheld
from a paycheck; and
(H) protecting financial, credit, and
identifying information in personal and professional
relationships; and
(2) assists a youth who has a source of income to
establish a savings plan and, if available, a savings account that
the youth can independently manage.
(f) The department shall require a person with whom the
department contracts for transitional living services for foster
youth to provide or assist youth in obtaining:
(1) housing services;
(2) job training and employment services;
(3) college preparation services;
(4) services that will assist youth in obtaining a
general education development certificate; [and]
(5) a savings or checking account if the youth is at
least 18 years of age and has a source of income; and
(6) any other appropriate transitional living service
identified by the department.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1589 passed the Senate on
April 25, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1589 passed the House on
May 8, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor