HBA-SEB H.B. 864 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 864
By: Puente
Human Services
4/10/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The federal Social Security Act considers a child eligible for foster care
until age 18.  However, a state may extend foster care eligibility for a
child who is at least age 18 and under age 19 if the child is working
toward completing secondary school before reaching age 19.  The Texas
Administrative Code, which governs foster care funding that comes from the
state, considers a child eligible for foster care if the child is scheduled
to graduate from high school before the child's 20th birthday. H.B. 864
extends the maximum age for eligibility for state-funded foster care to 22,
the age at which a school district is no longer required to admit a
student.  This bill requires the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services to continue to pay the cost of foster care for a child who is
enrolled in an accredited secondary school program leading toward a high
school diploma.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 264.101, Family Code, to require the Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services to continue to pay the cost of foster
care for a child, including medical care, after the child becomes 18 years
of age if the child is enrolled in an accredited secondary school in a
program leading toward a high school diploma.  Redesignates Subsections
(c)-(f) to (d)-(g).  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 264.105, Family Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.