Blanco’s bill extends shelter time for minors to 30 days

The text as introduced · 363 words

2025S0063-1 02/03/25

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 1144

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of shelter or care to a minor by an

emergency shelter facility.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 32.201(a) and (c), Family Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(a) An emergency shelter facility may provide shelter and

care to a minor and the minor's child or children, if any accompany

the minor .

(c) Shelter or care provided under this section may not be

provided after the 30th [ 15th ] day after the date the shelter or

care is commenced unless:

(1) the facility receives consent to continue services

from the minor in accordance with Section 32.202; or

(2) the minor has qualified for financial assistance

under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and is on the waiting list

for housing assistance.

SECTION 2. Section 32.202(a), Family Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) A minor may consent to emergency shelter or care to be

provided to the minor or the minor's child or children, if any

accompany the minor , under Section 32.201(c) if the minor is:

(1) 16 years of age or older and:

(A) resides separate and apart from the minor's

parent, managing conservator, or guardian, regardless of whether

the parent, managing conservator, or guardian consents to the

residence and regardless of the duration of the residence; and

(B) manages the minor's own financial affairs,

regardless of the source of income; or

(2) unmarried and is pregnant or is the parent of a

child.

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to

emergency shelter or care provided to a minor by an emergency

shelter facility on or after the effective date of this Act,

regardless of whether the shelter or care commenced before, on, or

after that date.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.