84R6347 MK-D By: Burkett H.B. No. 3334 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to monetary assistance provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services to certain relatives and designated caregivers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 264.755, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (b) Monetary assistance provided under this section must include a one-time cash payment to the caregiver on the initial placement of a child or a sibling group. The amount of the cash payment, as determined by the department, may not exceed $1,000 for each child. The payment for placement of a sibling group must be at least $1,000 for the group, but may not exceed $1,000 for each child in the group. The cash payment must be provided not later than the 30th day after the date of [on] the initial placement of each child with the caregiver and is provided to assist the caregiver in purchasing essential child-care items such as furniture and clothing. (f) The department shall reimburse a relative or other designated caregiver for expenses permitted under Subsection (c)(6) every six months following the date the child is placed with the relative or designated caregiver if the department receives a request for reimbursement for the preceding six months. SECTION 2. (a) Section 264.755(b), Family Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to monetary assistance with respect to a child who is initially placed with a relative or other designated caregiver on or after the effective date of this Act. Monetary assistance with respect to a child who is initially placed with a relative or other designated caregiver before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date of the initial placement, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. (b) Section 264.755(f), Family Code, as added by this Act, applies only to the reimbursement of a relative or other designated caregiver for expenses for which a completed request for reimbursement is submitted to the Department of Family and Protective Services on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.