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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the redesignation and authority of the Harris County |
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Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 152.1073, Human Resources |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 152.1073. HARRIS COUNTY BOARD OF RESOURCES [PROTECTIVE |
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SERVICES] FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. |
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SECTION 2. Section 152.1073(a)(1), Human Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(1) "Board" means the Harris County Board of Resources |
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[Protective Services] for Children and Adults. |
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SECTION 3. Section 152.1073, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (g) and (h) and adding Subsection |
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(h-1) to read as follows: |
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(g) In addition to the authority granted to the board by the |
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commissioners court, the Health and Human Services Commission, and |
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the [Texas] Department of Family and Protective [Human] Services, |
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the board may: |
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(1) disburse funds from sources other than the |
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commissioners court, the commission, and the department [Texas |
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Department of Human Services] to benefit children, eligible adults |
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with disabilities, and eligible elderly persons under this section |
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and to provide care, protection, evaluation, training, treatment, |
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education, and recreation to those persons [children]; |
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(2) refuse to accept any funds the board considers to |
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be inappropriate, incompatible, or burdensome to board policies or |
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the provision of services; |
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(3) accept a gift or grant of real or personal property |
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or accept support under or an interest in a trust to benefit persons |
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described by Subdivision (1) [children under this section] and hold |
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the gift or grant directly or in trust; |
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(4) use a gift or grant to benefit persons described by |
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Subdivision (1) [children under this section] and to provide care, |
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protection, education, or training to those persons [children]; |
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(5) accept and disburse as provided by Subdivision (1) |
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fees and contributions from parents, guardians, and relatives of |
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persons described by that subdivision [children] who are: |
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(A) in county supported substitute care or |
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custody, in the county guardianship program, in the county |
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representative payee program, or receiving services from the county |
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Senior Justice Assessment Center; or |
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(B) being assisted by casework, day care, or |
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homemaker services, by medical, psychological, dental, or other |
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remedial help, or by teaching, training, or other services; |
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(6) account for and spend funds the board receives as |
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fees, contributions, payments made by guardians, or payments made |
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to benefit a person described by Subdivision (1) who is [child] in |
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the board's or the county's legal custody; |
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(7) receive and disburse funds available to support or |
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benefit a person described by Subdivision (1) who is [child] in the |
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board's or the county's legal custody, including social security |
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benefits, life insurance proceeds, survivors' pension or annuity |
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benefits, or a beneficial interest in property; and |
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(8) receive and use funds, grants, and assistance |
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available to the board or the county from a federal or state |
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department or agency to carry out the functions and programs of the |
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department or agency that is designed to aid or extend programs and |
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operations approved by the board. |
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(h) The board shall designate the director or an assistant |
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to apply for letters of guardianship if necessary to receive funds |
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under Subsection (g)(7). The director or an assistant may: |
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(1) apply for and disburse the funds to provide |
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special items of support for children, eligible adults with |
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disabilities, and eligible elderly persons under this section or to |
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pay general administrative expenses relating to services under this |
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section; |
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(2) hold the funds in trust; or |
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(3) apply the funds for a particular or more |
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restricted purpose as required by law or the source of the funds. |
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(h-1) The board may collaborate with state agencies to |
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provide services for eligible adults with disabilities and eligible |
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elderly persons who: |
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(1) are residents of the county; |
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(2) have been exploited, abused, or neglected; or |
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(3) may be in need of a guardianship or assistance from |
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a representative payee. |
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SECTION 4. On the effective date of this Act, the Harris |
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County Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults is |
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redesignated as the Harris County Board of Resources for Children |
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and Adults. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |