The bill proposes the establishment of the Texas Adoption Assistance Program, which aims to encourage the adoption of Texas children by providing financial assistance to adoptive parents for adoption-related expenses. The program will be administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, which will certify organizations eligible to participate in the program. These certified organizations will be responsible for soliciting donations and awarding adoption assistance grants to eligible parents, who must meet specific criteria, including income limits and residency requirements.
Key provisions of the bill include the definition of terms related to the program, the eligibility requirements for both organizations and parents, and the maximum grant amounts based on household income. The bill outlines the responsibilities of certified organizations, including compliance with eligibility requirements, annual audits, and the distribution of funds. Additionally, it establishes a framework for state matching funds to support the grants awarded by certified organizations. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
Statutes affected: Introduced: ()