Amends TCA Section 37-1-102 and Section 37-2-422.

Present law provides that a relative caregiver must receive payment equal to 50 percent of the full foster care board rate for the care of a child, if the following conditions are met:<br /> <br /> (1) The child is not in state custody; <br /> <br /> (2) The relative caregiver is 21 or older;<br /> <br /> (3) The relative caregiver has been awarded custody of the child by a final order by a court;<br /> <br /> (4) The relative caregiver's total household income does not exceed twice the current federal poverty guidelines based on the size of the family unit;<br /> <br /> (5) A parent of the child does not reside in the relative caregiver's home;<br /> <br /> (6) The relative caregiver agrees to seek the establishment and enforcement of child support, including the naming of the father of a child for the purposes of paternity establishment; and<br /> <br /> (7) The relative caregiver and the child meet all other requirements as prescribed by rules promulgated by the department of children's services. <br /> <br /> This bill removes (4) and amends provision (6) to provide instead, that, the relative caregiver agrees to cooperate with any child support proceedings initiated by the department of human services, including providing information relative to the establishment of paternity, if known. <br />