Bill Text: TX HB2645 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to a pilot program to increase the financial independence of foster youth who are transitioning to independent living.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-16 - Referred to Health & Human Services [HB2645 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB2645-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Relating to a pilot program to increase the financial independence of foster youth who are transitioning to independent living.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-16 - Referred to Health & Human Services [HB2645 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB2645-Introduced.html
88R11297 BDP-F | ||
By: Lujan | H.B. No. 2645 |
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relating to a pilot program to increase the financial independence | ||
of foster youth who are transitioning to independent living. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 264.1215 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 264.1215. PILOT PROGRAM FOR FINANCIAL TRANSITIONAL | ||
LIVING SERVICES. (a) The department shall establish a pilot | ||
program to assist foster youth to achieve financial security and | ||
independence as the youth transition to independent living. | ||
(b) The department shall enter into an agreement with one or | ||
more credit unions or other financial institutions to establish | ||
savings and checking accounts for foster youth who, under an | ||
agreement with the department and credit union or other financial | ||
institution, participate in the pilot program. The agreement may | ||
include, as appropriate, a requirement that the department and the | ||
credit union or other financial institution together encourage the | ||
foster youth participating in the program to open private savings | ||
and checking accounts once the participants are no longer eligible | ||
for foster care services. | ||
(c) The department shall include foster youth, including | ||
foster youth who are age 17 and older, as participants in the pilot | ||
program established under this section. | ||
(d) The department shall complete an evaluation of the pilot | ||
program and shall submit a report on the evaluation of the pilot | ||
program conducted under this subsection to the governor, lieutenant | ||
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives not later | ||
than December 31, 2026. | ||
(e) A foster youth may not be denied the rights granted | ||
under Section 264.0111 to control money earned by the youth that is | ||
deposited into savings and checking accounts under the pilot | ||
program. | ||
(f) If the department is unable to enter into an agreement | ||
with a credit union or other financial institution, the department | ||
shall include in the report under Subsection (d) a description of | ||
any legal or practical barriers that must be addressed to ensure | ||
that foster youth are able to participate in the pilot program and | ||
establish savings and checking accounts before the youth leave | ||
foster care. | ||
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date | ||
of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall | ||
establish the pilot program as required by Section 264.1215, Family | ||
Code, as added by this Act. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |