1. (a) A young adult is assigned trial independence status when the young adult:

   1. (1) does not enter extended foster care at the time of the young adult's 18th birthday; or
   2. (2) exits extended foster care before the young adult's 21st birthday.

2. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a court order is not required for a young adult to be assigned trial independence status. Trial independence is mandatory for a period of at least six months beginning on:

   1. (1) the date of the young adult's 18th birthday for a young adult described by Subsection (a)(1); or
   2. (2) the date the young adult exits extended foster care.
3. (c) A court may order trial independence status extended for a period that exceeds the mandatory period under Subsection (b) but does not exceed one year from the date the period under Subsection (b) commences.
4. (d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a young adult who enters or reenters extended foster care after a period of trial independence must complete a new period of trial independence as provided by Subsection (b)(2).
5. (e) The trial independence status of a young adult ends on the young adult's 21st birthday.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 456 (S.B. 886), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.