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                                                                  H.B. No. 614




AN ACT

relating to foster care payments for certain children.                        
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 264.101, Family Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(a-1)  The department shall continue to pay the cost of 
foster care for a child for whom the department provides care, 
including medical care, until the later of:
		(1)  the date the child attains the age of 18; or                      
		(2)  the date the child graduates from high school or 
ceases to be enrolled in a secondary school in a program leading 
toward a high school diploma.
	(d)  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human 
Services Commission [Board of Protective and Regulatory Services] 
may adopt rules that establish criteria and guidelines for the 
payment of foster care, including medical care, for a child and for 
providing care for a child after the child becomes 18 years of age 
if the child is regularly attending [high school,] an institution 
of higher education[,] or a vocational or technical program.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to a child who is in foster care on or after the effective date of 
this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 614 was passed by the House on April 
22, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 1 present, not 
voting.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 614 was passed by the Senate on May 
10, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 24, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor