By: Frank, Guillen (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.B. No. 2655
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2015;
May 7, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 21, 2015, rereferred to Committee on
Intergovernmental Relations; May 25, 2015, reported favorably by
the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 25, 2015, sent to
printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring the Department of Family and Protective
Services to study the effectiveness of the relative and other
designated caregiver placement 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 to the legislature for improving the program. The
recommended improvements must be designed to minimize the number of
placements for each child, maximize efficiency in the distribution
of any monetary or other assistance for which caregivers qualify,
facilitate a safe and permanent exit from the managing
conservatorship of the department in as timely a fashion as
possible, and assist caregivers in obtaining the verification
necessary to qualify for foster care maintenance reimbursement.
The recommendations may include increases in the amount of
assistance and 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.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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