By: West S.B. No. 1131
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
60th 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 annually for expenses permitted under
Subsection (c)(6). The initial reimbursement shall occur no later
than six months after placement of a child or sibling group.
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.