84R3258 YDB-D
By: Dukes H.B. No. 3967
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program to increase the financial independence
of foster children who are transitioning to independent living.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.1212 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.1212. PILOT PROGRAM FOR FINANCIAL TRANSITIONAL
LIVING SERVICES. (a) The department shall establish a pilot
program to assist foster children in the conservatorship of the
department to achieve financial security and independence as the
children transition to independent living.
(b) The department shall enter into an agreement with a
credit union to establish savings accounts for foster children who,
under an agreement with the department and credit union,
participate in the pilot program. The agreement must:
(1) subject to Subsection (j), prohibit a foster child
from withdrawing money from the savings account until the earlier
of:
(A) the first anniversary of the date the first
deposit is made into the savings account; or
(B) the date the balance in the savings account
first equals or exceeds $2,000;
(2) authorize a foster child to withdraw money from
the savings account only in person at the credit union;
(3) provide that the balance in the savings account
may not exceed $2,000 and establish procedures for the transfer or
withdrawal of the amount of money that exceeds $2,000 when
necessary;
(4) require the department and the credit union to
work together to encourage the foster children participating in the
program to open private savings accounts once the participants are
no longer eligible for foster care services; and
(5) establish procedures to transfer ownership and
control of the account to the participants exiting the program who
are no longer eligible for foster care services.
(c) The department shall seek to partner with a person,
including a foundation, to match the amounts of money deposited
into the foster children savings accounts under the pilot program.
The matching funds must be deposited directly into the child's
savings account.
(d) The department and the person selected as a partner
under Subsection (c) shall jointly establish incentives to provide
financial rewards to foster children for actions performed by the
children, including college visits or attendance at financial
education classes. The financial rewards may only be paid by the
person and are not available for matching funds provided under
Subsection (c).
(e) Not later than January 1 of each even-numbered year, the
department shall select at least 20 foster children who are age 16
to participate in the pilot program established under this section.
(f) Money that may be deposited in a foster child's savings
account established under the pilot program includes:
(1) money earned by the child through employment or
allowance;
(2) gift money;
(3) money deposited by the child's foster parent or by
a parent or other relative of the child;
(4) money received from the person selected as a
partner under Subsection (c) as financial incentives or matching
funds; and
(5) other money authorized under the department's
agreement with the credit union.
(g) The department shall survey each foster child who enters
and exits the pilot program. The survey must be designed to assess
any changes in the child's attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge
about financial matters from the time the child entered the program
until the child exited the program.
(h) The department shall complete an evaluation of the pilot
program not later than December 31, 2020.
(i) The department shall submit a report on the evaluation
of the pilot program conducted under Subsection (h) to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives as soon as the evaluation is complete. The
department shall submit a second report evaluating the pilot
program to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives not later than December 31, 2022.
(j) A foster child may not be denied the rights granted
under Section 264.0111 to control money earned by the child that is
deposited into a savings account under the pilot program.
(k) This section expires December 31, 2022.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall
establish the pilot program as required by Section 264.1212, Family
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.