By: Frank H.B. No. 2655
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to day care assistance and to requiring the Department of
Family and Protective Services to study the effectiveness of the
relative and other designated caregiver program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.761 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.761. STUDY OF PROGRAM. (a) The department shall
study the effectiveness of the relative and other designated
caregiver placement program created by this subchapter and make
recommendations on improvements to the program. Any such
improvements should be designed to minimize the number of
placements for each child, maximize efficiency in distribution of
any monetary or other assistance for which caregivers qualify,
facilitate safe and permanent exit from the managing
conservatorship of the department in as timely a fashion as
possible, and prepare caregivers for verification necessary to
receive for foster care maintenance reimbursement. The
recommendations may include increases to the dollar amount of
assistance as well as the identification of automated or other
processes designed to speed the payment of assistance.
(b) The department shall report its findings and
recommendations to the legislature not later than January 1, 2017.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2017.