By: Zaffirini, et al. S.B. No. 1589
(Dukes)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.