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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the selection and reimbursement of certain persons |
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providing services required under a service plan filed by the |
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Department of Family and Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 263, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 263.1021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 263.1021. SELECTION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF SERVICE |
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PROVIDER. (a) A parent who is required to complete a service plan |
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under this subchapter may obtain services from a qualified or |
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licensed provider selected by the parent. |
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(b) Services obtained from a provider selected under |
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Subsection (a): |
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(1) must be: |
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(A) designed to achieve the stated goals of the |
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service plan; and |
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(B) provided using an evidence-based program or |
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practice or a promising program or practice; and |
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(2) may be provided through an electronic |
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communication platform. |
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(c) A service provider selected by a parent shall certify in |
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writing whether the parent has satisfactorily completed the |
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required service. |
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(d) The department shall reimburse a service provider |
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selected by the parent under Subsection (a) who is not under |
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contract with the department in an amount equal to the average cost |
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for the specific service from department contractors providing the |
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service in the region where the parent resides. |
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(e) The department shall adopt rules relating to the manner |
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in which providers are reimbursed for services provided under this |
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section. |
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(f) Not later than December 1, 2023, the department shall |
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adopt the rules required by Subsection (e). The department shall |
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convene a work group to assist the department in developing the |
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rules. This subsection expires September 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a suit filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services on |
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or after the effective date of this Act. A suit filed by the |
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department before that date is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |