85R2322 MK-D
 
  By: Wu H.B. No. 706
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to monetary assistance for a relative or other designated
  caregiver of children in foster care.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 264.755, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  The department shall[, subject to the availability of
  funds,] enter into a caregiver assistance agreement with each
  relative or other designated caregiver to provide monetary
  assistance and additional support services to the caregiver.
  Subject to Subsection (f), the [The] monetary assistance and
  support services shall be based on a family's need, as determined by
  rules adopted by the executive commissioner.
         (b)  Monetary assistance provided under this section must
  include a one-time cash payment to the caregiver on the initial
  placement of a child or a sibling group.  The amount of the cash
  payment, as determined by the department, may not exceed $2,000
  [$1,000] for each child.  The payment for placement of a sibling
  group must be at least $2,000 [$1,000] for the group, but may not
  exceed $2,000 [$1,000] for each child in the group. The cash payment
  must be provided not later than the 60th day after the date of [on]
  the initial placement of each child with the caregiver and is
  provided to assist the caregiver in purchasing essential child-care
  items such as furniture and clothing.
         (f)  Monetary assistance paid to a relative or other
  designated caregiver under a caregiver assistance agreement must be
  paid at a daily rate that is equal to at least 50 percent of the
  daily foster care reimbursement rate that the department would pay
  for the child if the substitute care were provided in a foster home,
  foster group home, agency foster home, or agency foster group home
  licensed or certified under Chapter 42, Human Resources Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 264.755, Family Code, as amended by this
  Act, applies only to monetary assistance with respect to a child who
  is initially placed with a relative or other designated caregiver
  on or after the effective date of this Act. Monetary assistance
  with respect to a child who is initially placed with a relative or
  other designated caregiver before that date is governed by the law
  in effect on the date of the initial placement, and the former law
  is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.