Sec. 264.004.  ALLOCATION OF STATE FUNDS.  (a)  The department shall establish a method of allocating state funds for children's protective services programs that encourages and rewards the contribution of funds or services from all persons, including local governmental entities.
(b)  Except as provided by this subsection, if a contribution of funds or services is made to support a children's protective services program in a particular county, the department shall use the contribution to benefit that program.  The department may use the contribution for another purpose only if the commissioners court of the county gives the department written permission.
(c)  The department may use state and federal funds to provide benefits or services to children and families who are otherwise eligible for the benefits or services, including foster care, adoption assistance, medical assistance, family reunification services, and other child protective services and related benefits without regard to the immigration status of the child or the child's family.
(d)  The Health and Human Services Commission may use money appropriated from the trafficked persons program account established under Section 50.0153, Health and Safety Code, to establish, maintain, and operate facilities to provide care and recovery and to ensure the general well-being of children and youth who are victims of an offense of trafficking of persons as defined by Article 56B.003, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 575, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by: 
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 704 (H.B. 2633), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.