85R12420 MM-F
	By: Dukes, Minjarez	H.B. No. 2331

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a pilot program to increase the financial independence
	of foster children 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 264.1212 to read as follows:
	Sec. 264.1212.  PILOT PROGRAM FOR FINANCIAL TRANSITIONAL
	LIVING SERVICES. (a) The department shall establish a pilot
	program to assist foster children in the conservatorship of the
	department to achieve financial security and independence as the
	children transition to independent living.
	(b)  The department shall enter into an agreement with a
	credit union or other financial institution to establish savings
	accounts for foster children 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, the following terms:
	(1)  subject to Subsection (j), a prohibition on a
	foster child withdrawing money from the savings account until the
	earlier of:
	(A)  the first anniversary of the date the first
	deposit is made into the savings account; or
	(B)  the date the balance in the savings account
	first equals or exceeds $2,000;
	(2)  a requirement that the department and the credit
	union or other financial institution together encourage the foster
	children participating in the program to open private savings
	accounts once the participants are no longer eligible for foster
	care services; and
	(3)  procedures to transfer ownership and control of
	the account to the participants exiting the program who are no
	longer eligible for foster care services.
	(c)  The department may seek to partner with a person,
	including a foundation, to match the amounts of money deposited
	into the foster children savings accounts under the pilot program.
	The matching funds must be deposited directly into the child's
	savings account.
	(d)  The department and the person selected as a partner
	under Subsection (c) may jointly establish incentives to provide
	financial rewards to foster children for actions performed by the
	children, including college visits or attendance at financial
	education classes. The financial rewards may only be paid by the
	person and are not available for matching funds provided under
	Subsection (c).
	(e)  Not later than January 1 of each even-numbered year, the
	department may select not more than 20 foster children who are age
	16 or older to participate in the pilot program established under
	this section.
	(f)  Money that may be deposited in a foster child's savings
	account established under the pilot program includes:
	(1)  money earned by the child through employment or
	allowance;
	(2)  gift money;
	(3)  money deposited by the child's foster parent or by
	a parent or other relative of the child;
	(4)  money received from the person selected as a
	partner under Subsection (c) as financial incentives or matching
	funds; and
	(5)  other money authorized under the department's
	agreement with the credit union or other financial institution.
	(g)  The department shall survey each foster child who enters
	and exits the pilot program. The survey must be designed to assess
	any changes in the child's attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge
	about financial matters from the time the child entered the program
	until the child exited the program.
	(h)  The department shall complete an evaluation of the pilot
	program not later than December 31, 2022.
	(i)  The department shall submit a report on the evaluation
	of the pilot program conducted under Subsection (h) to the
	governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
	representatives as soon as the evaluation is complete. The
	department shall submit a second report evaluating the pilot
	program to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
	house of representatives not later than December 31, 2024.
	(j)  A foster child may not be denied the rights granted
	under Section 264.0111 to control money earned by the child that is
	deposited into a savings account under the pilot program.
	(k)  This section expires December 31, 2024.
	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 264.1212, Family
	Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.