Bill > HB1046

This bill modifies Texas Family Code provisions to clarify and expand support rights for relatives or designated caregivers who have a child placed with them by the state's child welfare department. Specifically, the bill creates a new section (264.763) that allows relatives or designated caregivers to be eligible to receive support and benefits on behalf of a child placed in their care. The department is required to help facilitate two key actions: (1) transferring any support rights attributable to the child to the relative or caregiver, and (2) designating the caregiver as the representative payee for various support programs, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This change slightly modifies the existing law that previously automatically assigned support rights to the state when a child is placed in substitute care, now creating an exception that allows direct assignment of these rights to the child's relative or caregiver. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, which provides ample time for the department and potential caregivers to understand and prepare for the new provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1046