85R2322 MK-D     By: Wu H.B. No. 706       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to monetary assistance for a relative or other designated   caregiver of children in foster care.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 264.755, Family Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read   as follows:          (a)  The department shall[, subject to the availability of   funds,] enter into a caregiver assistance agreement with each   relative or other designated caregiver to provide monetary   assistance and additional support services to the caregiver.   Subject to Subsection (f), the [The] monetary assistance and   support services shall be based on a family's need, as determined by   rules adopted by the executive commissioner.          (b)  Monetary assistance provided under this section must   include a one-time cash payment to the caregiver on the initial   placement of a child or a sibling group.  The amount of the cash   payment, as determined by the department, may not exceed $2,000   [$1,000] for each child.  The payment for placement of a sibling   group must be at least $2,000 [$1,000] for the group, but may not   exceed $2,000 [$1,000] for each child in the group. The cash payment   must be provided not later than the 60th day after the date of [on]   the initial placement of each child with the caregiver and is   provided to assist the caregiver in purchasing essential child-care   items such as furniture and clothing.          (f)  Monetary assistance paid to a relative or other   designated caregiver under a caregiver assistance agreement must be   paid at a daily rate that is equal to at least 50 percent of the   daily foster care reimbursement rate that the department would pay   for the child if the substitute care were provided in a foster home,   foster group home, agency foster home, or agency foster group home   licensed or certified under Chapter 42, Human Resources Code.          SECTION 2.  Section 264.755, Family Code, as amended by this   Act, applies only to monetary assistance with respect to a child who   is initially placed with a relative or other designated caregiver   on or after the effective date of this Act. Monetary assistance   with respect to a child who is initially placed with a relative or   other designated caregiver before that date is governed by the law   in effect on the date of the initial placement, and the former law   is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.