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AN ACT
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relating to placement of children with certain relatives or other |
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designated caregivers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 264.7541 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 264.7541. CAREGIVER VISIT WITH CHILD; INFORMATION. |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), before placing a child |
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with a proposed relative or other designated caregiver, the |
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department must: |
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(1) arrange a visit between the child and the proposed |
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caregiver; and |
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(2) provide the proposed caregiver with a form, which |
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may be the same form the department provides to nonrelative |
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caregivers, containing information, to the extent it is available, |
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about the child that would enhance continuity of care for the child, |
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including: |
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(A) the child's school information and |
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educational needs; |
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(B) the child's medical, dental, and mental |
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health care information; |
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(C) the child's social and family information; |
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and |
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(D) any other information about the child the |
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department determines will assist the proposed caregiver in meeting |
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the child's needs. |
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(b) The department may waive the requirements of Subsection |
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(a) if the proposed relative or other designated caregiver has a |
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long-standing or significant relationship with the child and has |
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provided care for the child at any time during the 12 months |
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preceding the date of the proposed placement. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (b), Section 264.755, Family Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Monetary assistance provided under this section must |
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include a one-time cash payment [of not more than $1,000] to the |
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caregiver on the initial placement of a child or a sibling group. |
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The amount of the cash payment, as determined by the department, may |
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not exceed $1,000 for each child. The payment for placement of a |
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sibling group must be at least $1,000 for the group, but may not |
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exceed $1,000 for each child in the group. The cash payment must be |
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provided on the initial placement of each child with the caregiver |
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and is provided to assist the caregiver in purchasing essential |
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child-care items such as furniture and clothing. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to the placement of a child for whom the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services is named managing conservator on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act to Subsection |
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(b), Section 264.755, Family Code, does not make an appropriation |
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or require a specific appropriation. The new duty imposed on the |
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Department of Family and Protective Services as a result of the |
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changes to that section must be performed through the |
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appropriations provided by the legislature as part of the existing |
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responsibilities of the department. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 502 passed the Senate on |
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April 4, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 502 passed the House on |
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May 17, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 0, two |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |