The bill, S.B. No. 1282, amends the Family Code to allow the Department of Family and Protective Services to enter into adoption assistance agreements for children after a final adoption order has been rendered. Specifically, it introduces a new subsection (b-3) to Section 162.304, which stipulates that an adoption assistance agreement can be made if, after the adoption is finalized, the child is diagnosed with special needs by a healthcare provider and would have qualified for adoption assistance prior to the adoption if the special needs had been identified.

The provisions of this bill apply to adoptions finalized before, on, or after the effective date of September 1, 2025. Additionally, the implementation of this act by the Department of Family and Protective Services is contingent upon the legislature appropriating specific funds for this purpose; if such funds are not allocated, the department may choose to implement the provisions using other available funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 162.304 (Family Code 162)