H.B. No. 53
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the transitional living services program for certain
  youth in foster care.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 264.121(a-2) and (f), Family Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a-2)  The experiential life-skills training under
  Subsection (a-1) must include:
               (1)  a financial literacy education program developed
  in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
  and the State Securities Board that:
                     (A) [(1)]  includes instruction on:
                           (i) [(A)]  obtaining and interpreting a
  credit score;
                           (ii) [(B)]  protecting, repairing, and
  improving a credit score;
                           (iii) [(C)]  avoiding predatory lending
  practices;
                           (iv) [(D)]  saving money and accomplishing
  financial goals through prudent financial management practices;
                           (v) [(E)]  using basic banking and
  accounting skills, including balancing a checkbook;
                           (vi) [(F)]  using debit and credit cards
  responsibly;
                           (vii) [(G)]  understanding a paycheck and
  items withheld from a paycheck; [and]
                           (viii)  understanding the time requirements
  and process for filing federal taxes;
                           (ix) [(H)]  protecting financial, credit,
  and personally identifying information in personal and
  professional relationships and online;
                           (x)  forms of identity and credit theft; and
                           (xi)  using insurance to protect against the
  risk of financial loss; and
                     (B) [(2)]  assists a youth who has a source of
  income to:
                           (i)  establish a savings plan and, if
  available, a savings account that the youth can independently
  manage; and
                           (ii)  prepare a monthly budget that includes
  the following expenses:
                                 (a)  rent based on the monthly rent for
  an apartment advertised for lease during the preceding month;
                                 (b)  utilities based on a reasonable
  utility bill in the area in which the youth resides;
                                 (c)  telephone service based on a
  reasonable bill for telephone service in the area in which the youth
  resides;
                                 (d)  Internet service based on a
  reasonable bill for Internet service in the area in which the youth
  resides; and
                                 (e)  other reasonable monthly
  expenses; and
               (2)  for youth who are 17 years of age or older, lessons
  related to:
                     (A)  insurance, including applying for and
  obtaining automobile insurance and residential property insurance,
  including tenants insurance; and
                     (B)  civic engagement, including the process for
  registering to vote, the places to vote, and resources for
  information regarding upcoming elections.
         (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) [(8)]  any other appropriate transitional living
  service identified by the department.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a person who enters into a contract with the Department of Family
  and Protective Services to provide transitional living services for
  foster youth on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 53 was passed by the House on April
  12, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 53 was passed by the Senate on May 22,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor