By CBS News Staff ReporterA program in Texas was suspended last week amid controversy about whether it was being funded by the federal government.
The program, Sas Programs in Action, is a program that provides support to children who have lost a parent or sibling.
A Texas State Senator says she is considering filing legislation to shut down the program and to prohibit any state funding of it.
The group has been accused of being a recruitment tool for child predators and child trafficking.
The Texas Senate passed legislation to require the state to shut it down.
The bill passed the House of Representatives last week.
It will be a big test for Sen. Wendy Davis, who is facing re-election in 2018.
She was a key player in the passage of the legislation.
She says the program was not properly funded.
Davis says she will file legislation to defund the program.
“This program has been funded for decades,” Davis said.
“We are looking for any funding that is available.”
The program provides support for children who lost a father, stepfather or brother, or a parent to child abuse.
The program is funded through a tax credit program, called the Child Care Tax Credit.
The credits are available to parents who work at least 30 hours per week and provide at least one child care provider per week.
Sas programs are often set up in the suburbs, often with parents who have no other option, because of poverty and other barriers to employment.
The programs are popular in rural areas because of the proximity to schools.
The U.S. Census Bureau says Texas has more than 7 million adults in foster care.