By: Parker, et al. S.B. No. 1379     (Lujan, Klick, Garcia, Noble, Morales of Maverick)           A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   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 banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions to   establish savings and checking accounts for foster youth who are at   least 14 but not more than 21 years of age and participate in the   pilot program. The agreement must include the following terms:                (1)  notwithstanding Section 34.305(c), Finance Code,   a requirement that foster youth participating in the program are   the sole owner of the savings and checking accounts and may   establish savings and checking accounts without a co-signor;                (2)  a requirement that the department and the bank,   credit union, or other financial institution together encourage the   foster youth participating in the program to open or continue   private savings and checking accounts once the participants are no   longer eligible for the program;                (3)  procedures to ensure the participants maintain   ownership and control of the account at the time the participants   exit the program;                (4)  a requirement that the bank, credit union, or   other financial institution provide to participants in the program   a checking and savings account that does not require maintenance   fees and cannot incur overdraft fees, nonsufficient funds fees,   inactivity fees, or any other penalty fees; and                (5)  options to make financial coaching or mentoring   available to foster youth participating in the pilot program.          (c)  The department may seek to partner with persons,   including nonprofit organizations or foundations, to match the   amounts of money deposited into the foster youth savings accounts   under the pilot program. The matching funds must be deposited   directly into a youth's savings account.          (d)  The department and a person selected as a partner under   Subsection (c) may jointly establish incentives to provide   financial rewards to foster youth for actions performed by the   youth.          (e)  The department shall survey each foster youth who enters   and exits the pilot program. The survey must be designed to assess   any changes in the youth's attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge   about financial matters from the time the youth entered the program   until the youth exited the program.          (f)  The department shall complete an evaluation of the pilot   program and submit a report on the evaluation of the pilot program   conducted under this section to the governor, lieutenant governor,   and speaker of the house of representatives as soon as the   evaluation is complete but not later than December 31, 2027.          (g)  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 a savings or checking account under the pilot   program.          (h)  If the department is unable to enter into an agreement   with a bank, credit union, or other financial institution, the   department shall include in the report required under Subsection   (f) a description of any legal or practical barriers that must be   addressed to ensure foster youth are able to participate in the   pilot program and establish savings and checking accounts before   the foster youth are no longer eligible for foster care services.          (i)  This section expires January 1, 2028.          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.