89R14929 DNC-D     By: Hunter H.B. No. 3941       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to services provided to foster youth transitioning to   independent living, including transitional living services and   Medicaid eligibility.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 264.121(a), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  The department shall address the unique challenges   facing foster children in the conservatorship of the department who   must transition to independent living by:                (1)  expanding efforts to improve transition planning   and increasing the availability of transitional family group   decision-making to all youth age 14 or older in the department's   permanent managing conservatorship, including enrolling the youth   in the Preparation for Adult Living Program before the age of 16;                (2)  coordinating with the commission to obtain   authority, to the extent allowed by federal law, the state Medicaid   plan, the Title IV-E state plan, and any waiver or amendment to   either plan, necessary to:                      (A)  extend foster care eligibility [and   transition services for youth] up to age 23 [21] and develop policy   to permit eligible youth to return to foster care as necessary to   achieve the goals of the Transitional Living Services Program;   [and]                      (B)  extend transition services for youth up to   age 23 and develop policy to permit eligible youth who have exited   foster care to continue to participate in the Transitional Living   Services Program as necessary to achieve the goals of the program;   and                      (C)  extend Medicaid coverage for foster care   youth and former foster care youth up to age 23 as authorized by   Section 32.02475, Human Resources Code, [21] with a single   application at the time the youth leaves foster care;                (3)  entering into cooperative agreements with the   Texas Workforce Commission and local workforce development boards   to further the objectives of the Preparation for Adult Living   Program. The department, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the   local workforce development boards shall ensure that services are   prioritized and targeted to meet the needs of foster care and former   foster care children and that such services will include, where   feasible, referrals for short-term stays for youth needing housing;                (4)  addressing barriers to participation in the   Preparation for Adult Living Program for a youth who has a   disability by making appropriate accommodations that allow the   youth to meaningfully participate in the program; and                (5)  documenting in the youth's case file any   accommodations made under Subdivision (4).          SECTION 2.  Section 264.121(b)(3), Family Code, is amended   to read as follows:                (3)  "Transitional Living Services Program" means a   program, administered by the department in accordance with   department rules and state and federal law, for youth who are age 14   or older but not more than 23 [21] years of age and are currently or   were formerly in foster care, that assists youth in transitioning   from foster care to independent living. The program provides   transitional living services, Preparation for Adult Living Program   services, and Education and Training Voucher Program services.          SECTION 3.  Section 264.121(c), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  At the time a child enters the Preparation for Adult   Living Program, the department shall provide an information booklet   to the child and the foster parent describing the program and the   benefits available to the child, including extended Medicaid   coverage until age 23 [21], priority status with the Texas   Workforce Commission, and the exemption from the payment of tuition   and fees at institutions of higher education as defined by Section   61.003, Education Code. The information booklet provided to the   child and the foster parent shall be provided in the primary   language spoken by that individual.          SECTION 4.  Section 264.121(f), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (f)  The department shall require a person with whom the   department contracts for transitional living services for foster   youth to provide or assist youth in obtaining:                (1)  housing services;                (2)  job training and employment services;                (3)  college preparation services;                (4)  services that will assist youth in obtaining a   general education development certificate;                (5)  services that will assist youth in developing   skills in food preparation;                (6)  nutrition education that promotes healthy food   choices;                (7)  a savings or checking account if the youth is at   least 18 years of age and has a source of income;                (8)  mental health services;                (9)  financial literacy education and civic engagement   lessons required under Subsection (a-2); [and]                (10)  for youth who are regularly attending an   institution of higher education or a postsecondary vocational or   technical program, financial support for on-campus or off-campus   housing and utilities; and                (11)  any other appropriate transitional living   service identified by the department.          SECTION 5.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 32.02475 to read as follows:          Sec. 32.02475.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN FORMER FOSTER   CARE YOUTH. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 32.0247 and 32.02471,   the commission shall provide medical assistance to a former foster   care youth regardless of the youth's income, assets, or resources   if the youth:                (1)  is younger than 26 years of age;                (2)  was in the conservatorship of the Department of   Family and Protective Services; and                (3)  meets eligibility criteria established under   federal and state law.          (b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary   to implement this section.          SECTION 6.  If before implementing Section 32.02475, Human   Resources Code, as added by this Act, a state agency determines that   any other waiver or authorization from a federal agency is   necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected   by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may   delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization   is granted.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.