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New and
Pending Texas Laws
HB 3008 after much debate, this bill was sent to the
Governor on May 26, 2007 and would establish a pilot program to match
certain teens in foster care with adult mentors. The bill would establish
a pilot program under which the department would contract with a private
or nonprofit entity to pair children in foster care in Tarrant County,
Denton County, Dallas County, and Collin County who are 14 years of age or
older with volunteer adult mentors in order to foster relationships of
support and guidance in preparation for the children's transition to adult
living. (Authors: Pierson, Rose, Truitt, McCall, Parker; co-authors:
Patrick, Raymond, Vaught) More...
SB 1457 creates a task force to study the issue of child abuse
and neglect and child welfare, and requires the task force to create goals
for state policy on the issue and submit a strategic plan to accomplish
those goals. The bill provides that the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives each appoint five members of the
task force to establish a strategy for reducing child abuse and neglect
and improving child welfare. (Author: Uresti; co-authors: Shapleigh. West,
Royce) Placed on General State Calendar on May 17, 2007 More...
HB 2702 Relating to tuition and fee exemptions and health
benefits coverage subsidies for certain adopted children.
A child for whom a subsidy is provided under Subsection (b-1) for premiums
for health benefits coverage and who does not receive any other subsidy
under this section is not considered to be the subject of an adoption
assistance agreement for any other purpose, including for determining
eligibility for the exemption from payment of tuition and fees for higher
education under Section 54.2111, Education Code. (Author: Truitt)
More...
HB 3505 The bill would amend the Government Code relating to
requirements for judicial training on issues regarding family violence,
sexual assault, and child abuse and neglect. The bill would set
qualifications for sponsoring organizations providing training on issues
of child abuse and neglect. (Author: Harnett)
More...
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The Military Adoption Act of 2005 Allows Paid Leave for Military
Families Adopting a Child
On Jan. 6, 2006 the U.S. Congress included an amendment giving military
families who adopt paid maternity leave and guaranteed health coverage for
their families when it passed the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2006. The "Military Adoption Act of 2005" (Sec. 593
of the NDAA) grants up to 21 days of paid leave to the primary caregiver
following the placement of a child for adoption. Prior policy provided up
to $5,000 per year in adoption expenses, but did not allow paid leave
after an adoption. (The Family and Medical Leave Act does not apply to the
Armed Forces.)
Join The E-Mail List
COAC
Reports
has established a separate e-mail account to communicate
important adoption
issues to parents. Often hearings are scheduled or board
meetings are held
between the publishing dates of the newsletter and we want to get
these
issues to anyone who might be interested in being informed.
Sometimes it is difficult to contact persons
who might want to write a letter or testify at a committee
meeting. To
create this communication link, COAC Reports has established a
separate
e-mail account. If you would like to be included in this list to
be kept
informed of adoption issues, just send an e-mail to:
sandra.dush@juno.com .
Just put the word subscribe in the subject line. Then you will
hear from us
from time to time as issues arise. The list will not be given
out or used
for other purposes.
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