89R19104 AMF-F     By: Hull H.B. No. 1155     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1155:     By:  Morales of Harris C.S.H.B. No. 1155       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to monetary assistance provided by the Department of   Family and Protective Services to certain parents.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 264, Family Code, is   amended by adding Section 264.209 to read as follows:          Sec. 264.209.  MONITORED RETURN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) If   a court has rendered an order under Section 263.403 providing for   the monitored return of a child to a parent, the department shall   provide monetary assistance under this section for the duration of   the monitoring period to a parent who:                (1)  has a family income that is less than or equal to   300 percent of the federal poverty level; and                (2)  demonstrates to the department that economic   factors, including unemployment or inability to afford housing,   transportation, utilities, food, medical care, mental health care,   or child care are a significant barrier to reunification.          (b)  The department shall disburse monetary assistance   provided to a parent under Subsection (a) in the same manner as the   department disburses payments to a foster parent, including making   a rate increase effective on the same date the department   implements a rate increase for the minimum daily foster care   reimbursement rate. Monetary assistance provided to the parent may   not exceed 50 percent of the department's daily basic foster care   rate for the care of a child.          (c)  The department, at its discretion and for good cause,   may extend the monetary assistance payments for a time period not to   exceed an additional six months after the date the case is dismissed   to support family stability after reunification. The department   shall decrease the monetary assistance provided to the parent by 25   percent each month the monetary assistance payments are extended   under this subsection.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an   order rendered under Section 263.403, Family Code, regardless of   whether the order was rendered before, on, or after the effective   date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.