S.B. No. 983

	AN ACT
	relating to providing certain documents and training to children in
	the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective
	Services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 264.014, Family Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	Sec. 264.014.  PROVISION OF COPIES OF CERTAIN RECORDS.  If,
	at the time a child is discharged from foster care, the child is at
	least 18 years of age or has had the disabilities of minority
	removed, the department shall provide to the child, not later than
	the 30th day before [after] the date the child is discharged from
	foster care, a copy of:
	(1)  the child's birth certificate;
	(2)  the child's immunization records; [and]
	(3)  the information contained in the child's health
	passport;
	(4)  a personal identification certificate under
	Chapter 521, Transportation Code;
	(5)  a social security card or a replacement social
	security card, if appropriate; and
	(6)  proof of enrollment in Medicaid, if appropriate.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  The Department of Family and Protective
	Services, in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency and the
	Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, shall develop a
	plan to ensure that each child in the permanent managing
	conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services
	is provided the opportunity to complete a driver's education course
	and to obtain a driver's license before the child leaves
	conservatorship.
	(b)  Not later than December 1, 2010, the Department of
	Family and Protective Services shall report to the legislature the
	results of the plan under Subsection (a) of this section. The
	report must include cost estimates for providing the driver's
	education and methods for obtaining affordable liability insurance
	for foster children.
	SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
	264.014, Family Code, apply to any child in the conservatorship of
	the Department of Family and Protective Services on or after the
	effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 983 passed the Senate on
	April 16, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 983 passed the House on
	May 5, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present
	not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor