Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB602 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	89R1528 AMF-D
2	2	By: West S.B. No. 602
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7	7	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8	AN ACT
9	9	relating to the Preparation for Adult Living Program and other
10	10	services for foster children transitioning to independent living.
11	11	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12	SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by
13	13	amending Subsections (a-2) and (i) and adding Subsection (j) to
14	14	read as follows:
15	15	(a-2) The experiential life-skills training under
16	16	Subsection (a-1) must include:
17	17	(1) a financial literacy education program developed
18	18	in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
19	19	and the State Securities Board that:
20	20	(A) includes instruction on:
21	21	(i) obtaining and interpreting a credit
22	22	score, including information about different scores produced by
23	23	credit reporting agencies;
24	24	(ii) protecting, repairing, and improving a
25	25	credit score;
26	26	(iii) the risks of payday loans, unsecured
27	27	loans, and motor vehicle title loans;
28	28	(iv) avoiding predatory lending practices,
29	29	including an explanation of interest rates and usurious interest;
30	30	(v) identifying and avoiding financial
31	31	scams;
32	32	(vi) [(iv)] saving money and accomplishing
33	33	financial goals through prudent financial management practices;
34	34	(vii) [(v)] using basic banking and
35	35	accounting skills, including opening and using a bank account,
36	36	balancing a checkbook, and creating a balanced budget;
37	37	(viii) [(vi)] using debit and credit cards
38	38	responsibly;
39	39	(ix) [(vii)] understanding a paycheck and
40	40	items withheld from a paycheck;
41	41	(x) [(viii)] understanding the time
42	42	requirements and process for filing federal taxes;
43	43	(xi) [(ix)] protecting financial, credit,
44	44	and personally identifying information in personal and
45	45	professional relationships and online;
46	46	(xii) [(x)] forms of identity and credit
47	47	theft; and
48	48	(xiii) [(xi)] using insurance to protect
49	49	against the risk of financial loss; and
50	50	(B) assists a youth who has a source of income to:
51	51	(i) establish a savings plan and, if
52	52	available, a savings account that the youth can independently
53	53	manage; and
54	54	(ii) prepare a monthly budget that includes
55	55	the following expenses:
56	56	(a) rent based on the monthly rent for
57	57	an apartment advertised for lease during the preceding month;
58	58	(b) utilities based on a reasonable
59	59	utility bill in the area in which the youth resides;
60	60	(c) telephone service based on a
61	61	reasonable bill for telephone service in the area in which the youth
62	62	resides;
63	63	(d) Internet service based on a
64	64	reasonable bill for Internet service in the area in which the youth
65	65	resides; and
66	66	(e) other reasonable monthly
67	67	expenses; and
68	68	(2) for youth who are 17 years of age or older, lessons
69	69	related to:
70	70	(A) financing a motor vehicle, including
71	71	information about the types of financing available for the purchase
72	72	of a motor vehicle and the risks of subprime and buy-here-pay-here
73	73	motor vehicle loans;
74	74	(B) insurance, including applying for and
75	75	obtaining motor vehicle [automobile] insurance and residential
76	76	property insurance, including tenants insurance;
77	77	(C) [(B)] civic engagement, including the
78	78	process for registering to vote, the places to vote, and resources
79	79	for information regarding upcoming elections; and
80	80	(D) [(C)] the documents the youth is required to
81	81	receive under Subsection (e-1) prior to being discharged from
82	82	foster care and how those documents may be used.
83	83	(i) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for
84	84	each youth 16 years of age or older includes provisions to assist
85	85	the youth in managing the youth's housing needs after the youth
86	86	leaves foster care, including provisions that:
87	87	(1) identify the cost of housing in relation to the
88	88	youth's sources of income, including any benefits or rental
89	89	assistance available to the youth;
90	90	(2) if the youth's housing goals include residing with
91	91	family or friends, state that the department has addressed the
92	92	following with the youth:
93	93	(A) the length of time the youth expects to stay
94	94	in the housing arrangement;
95	95	(B) expectations for the youth regarding paying
96	96	rent and meeting other household obligations;
97	97	(C) the youth's psychological and emotional
98	98	needs, as applicable; and
99	99	(D) any potential conflicts with other household
100	100	members, or any difficulties connected to the type of housing the
101	101	youth is seeking, that may arise based on the youth's psychological
102	102	and emotional needs;
103	103	(3) inform the youth about emergency shelters and
104	104	housing resources, including supervised independent living and
105	105	housing at colleges and universities, such as dormitories;
106	106	(4) require the department to review a common rental
107	107	application and a common rental contract with the youth and ensure
108	108	that the youth possesses all of the documentation required to
109	109	obtain rental housing; and
110	110	(5) identify any individuals who are able to serve as
111	111	cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing.
112	112	(j) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for
113	113	each youth 16 years of age or older includes information about
114	114	securing or transferring governmental assistance the youth may
115	115	qualify for, including:
116	116	(1) social security benefits;
117	117	(2) veteran or service member benefits;
118	118	(3) supplemental nutrition assistance;
119	119	(4) special supplemental nutrition assistance for
120	120	women, infants, and children;
121	121	(5) temporary assistance for needy families; and
122	122	(6) housing assistance.
123	123	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.