CS/HB 977 — Motor Vehicle Insurance and Driver Education for Children in Foster Care
by Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee; Rep. Albritton and others (CS/SB 744 by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senators Detert and Gibson)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill establishes a three-year pilot program within the Department of Children and Families to pay the cost of driver education, licensure, and motor vehicle insurance for young adults in foster care. The bill provides $800,000 in general revenue to the department to implement the pilot program. The bill requires a report by July 1, 2015, to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives on the progress of the pilot and whether it should be continued.
The bill provides that school districts provide foster children with preferential enrollment in driver education courses.
The bill removes the disability of nonage of minors for foster children for the purpose of obtaining motor vehicle insurance. A disability for nonage is an incapacity due to the person’s age, for example minors cannot enter into contracts. The bill removes the disability of nonage for motor vehicle insurance for foster children who are 16 years of age or older, residing in an out-of-home placement, and have completed a driver education course.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2014.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 115-0