89R19104 AMF-F
By: Hull H.B. No. 1155
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1155:
By: Morales of Harris C.S.H.B. No. 1155
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to monetary assistance provided by the Department of
Family and Protective Services to certain parents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.209 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.209. MONITORED RETURN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) If
a court has rendered an order under Section 263.403 providing for
the monitored return of a child to a parent, the department shall
provide monetary assistance under this section for the duration of
the monitoring period to a parent who:
(1) has a family income that is less than or equal to
300 percent of the federal poverty level; and
(2) demonstrates to the department that economic
factors, including unemployment or inability to afford housing,
transportation, utilities, food, medical care, mental health care,
or child care are a significant barrier to reunification.
(b) The department shall disburse monetary assistance
provided to a parent under Subsection (a) in the same manner as the
department disburses payments to a foster parent, including making
a rate increase effective on the same date the department
implements a rate increase for the minimum daily foster care
reimbursement rate. Monetary assistance provided to the parent may
not exceed 50 percent of the department's daily basic foster care
rate for the care of a child.
(c) The department, at its discretion and for good cause,
may extend the monetary assistance payments for a time period not to
exceed an additional six months after the date the case is dismissed
to support family stability after reunification. The department
shall decrease the monetary assistance provided to the parent by 25
percent each month the monetary assistance payments are extended
under this subsection.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
order rendered under Section 263.403, Family Code, regardless of
whether the order was rendered before, on, or after the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.