SB 1282

relating to authorizing adoption assistance agreements for certain
children after a final adoption order is rendered.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 162.304, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-3) to read as follows:
(b-3)  The department may enter into an adoption assistance
agreement for a child after a court has entered a final order of
(1)  after the adoption is finalized, is diagnosed by
the child's health care provider as having special needs; and
(2)  would have qualified for adoption assistance under
Subsection (a) if the child was determined to have special needs
SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
adoption for which the final order is rendered before, on, or after
the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3.  The Department of Family and Protective Services
is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.  If
the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a
provision of this Act using other money available for that purpose.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.