The bill, S.B. No. 1282, amends Section 162.304 of the Family Code to authorize 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) that allows for such agreements if the child is diagnosed with special needs by their healthcare provider after the adoption is finalized and would have qualified for adoption assistance had the special needs been identified prior to the adoption.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the changes apply to adoptions finalized before, on, or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. It also stipulates that the implementation of this provision is contingent upon the legislature appropriating funds specifically for this purpose; if not, the department may choose to implement it using other available funds.

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