HB 3941

relating to services provided to foster youth transitioning to
independent living, including transitional living services and
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 264.121(a), Family Code, is amended to
(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
(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;
(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;
(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
(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
(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
(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:
(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
(6)  nutrition education that promotes healthy food
(7)  a savings or checking account if the youth is at
least 18 years of age and has a source of income;
(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
(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
(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
(b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
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
SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.