88R9552 MM/PRL/LRM/MLH-D

By: Schatzline H.B. No. 4965

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to measures to promote and support responsible fatherhood in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.9011 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.9011. JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a pilot program under which a public secondary school may receive a grant to create, promote, or expand a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.

(b) A public secondary school is eligible to participate in and receive a grant under eligibility criteria established by the commissioner.

(c) The commissioner shall establish application criteria for receiving a grant under this section.

(d) A public secondary school that receives a grant shall use the funds to create, promote, or expand a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at the school.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to administer the pilot program under this section.

(f) After five years, the commissioner shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature that includes:

(1) an assessment on the effectiveness of the pilot program at increasing high school graduation rates; and

(2) a recommendation regarding whether the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. Section 231.1211, Family Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 231.1211. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS ON STANDARD POSSESSION ORDER AND CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGOR RESOURCES. (a) The Title IV-D agency shall create informational materials that describe:

(1) the possession schedule under the standard possession order under Subchapter F, Chapter 153, including any alternate schedules or elections available to conservators; and

(2) resources available to assist child support obligors experiencing difficulty with meeting their child support obligations, including information:

(A) describing career or financial assistance programs and services available to support unemployed or underemployed child support obligors;

(B) explaining how to access those programs and services; and

(C) detailing the process by which a child support obligor may seek to modify the obligor's child support obligation.

(b) The Title IV-D agency shall:

(1) make the informational materials described by Subsection (a) available on the agency's Internet website and distribute printed copies of those materials on request; and

(2) include information on how to access the informational materials described by Subsection (a)(2) in any notice given by the Title IV-D agency to a child support obligor who is delinquent in the payment of child support.

SECTION 3. Subchapter B-1, Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 264.1621 to read as follows:

Sec. 264.1621. FATHERHOOD ENGAGEMENT REPORTS. (a) Not later than March 1, 2024, each single source continuum contractor or other entity that contracts with the department to provide community-based care services shall:

(1) evaluate the entity's level of engagement with fathers;

(2) identify any gaps in service related to engagement with fathers;

(3) identify viable solutions to resolve any gaps identified under Subdivision (2); and

(4) report to the department regarding the entity's findings under this subsection.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2024, the entity described by Subsection (a) shall implement solutions to address any gaps in service for fathers identified under Subsection (a)(2).

(c) The department shall:

(1) conduct a semiannual review of each entity described by Subsection (a) to assess the entity's:

(A) implementation of a plan to address gaps in service related to engagement with fathers; and

(B) ability to meet the needs of fathers in this state;

(2) produce a report based on the department's review; and

(3) make the report available to the public not later than the 30th day after the date the department completes the report.

SECTION 4. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H-1. PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT FATHERS

Sec. 531.291. RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE. (a) In this section, "initiative" means the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative established under this section.

(b) The commission, after issuing a request for proposals and conducting a transparent selection process, shall contract with a nonprofit organization for the development and implementation of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. The initiative must provide an opportunity for every father in this state to obtain information and inspiration that will motivate and enable him to enhance his abilities as a father and recognize that some fathers have greater challenges than others and would benefit from greater support.

(c) The initiative must include:

(1) an Internet website and other related electronic resources that will allow a father to:

(A) obtain information about effective parenting;

(B) identify areas in which support would enhance the father's ability to be an effective father; and

(C) connect to the support identified under Paragraph (B), including support provided by an organization receiving a grant under Section 531.292;

(2) appropriate materials from the fatherhood media campaign available through the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse; and

(3) print, television, digital, and social media elements and public events, including appearances by and involvement from public figures.

(d) To contract with the commission under this section, a nonprofit organization must be nonpartisan and nonpolitical and have:

(1) a history of focusing on responsible fatherhood, including providing online resources to fathers and engaging fathers, father figures, and children through community-based and school-based events to encourage responsible fatherhood; and

(2) the organizational capacity to manage a statewide initiative and successfully carry out the requirements of this section.

(e) The nonprofit organization with which the commission contracts under this section shall collaborate with relevant state agencies and private organizations to develop and implement the initiative. The commission and other relevant state agencies shall provide support to the organization as necessary to carry out the initiative.

Sec. 531.292. GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SUPPORT TO FATHERS. (a) To the extent money is appropriated to the commission for that purpose, the commission shall establish a program under which the commission awards grants to community-based nonprofit organizations to support fathers in this state by providing comprehensive support to fathers, including assistance with:

(1) finding employment;

(2) managing child support obligations;

(3) transitioning from a period of incarceration; and

(4) accessing health care.

(b) A community-based nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this section must provide:

(1) assistance that is tailored to the needs of the father being served; and

(2) case management services, either directly or by subcontract, to the father being served.

(c) A grant awarded under this section may be awarded to a community-based nonprofit organization for not more than three years.

(d) Not later than the third anniversary of the date the commission implements the grant program established under this section, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature regarding the results and performance of the grant program and any recommendations for legislative or other action, including whether to continue the program.

SECTION 5. Section 531.982, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The commission shall implement fatherhood engagement activities as part of a home visiting program implemented under this section. The activities may include increased and individualized support for fathers that is designed to strengthen the family and increase child well-being.

SECTION 6. Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 662.116 to read as follows:

Sec. 662.116. RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD MONTH. (a) June is Responsible Fatherhood Month to honor a father's contribution to their child's well-being, safety, and stability.

(b) During Responsible Fatherhood Month, the Health and Human Services Commission shall at least weekly promote the importance of fatherhood for the health and welfare of a child through community engagement events, the news media, the commission's Internet website and social media platforms, and any other method the commission uses to communicate with the public.

(c) Responsible Fatherhood Month shall be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public locations to increase awareness of the importance and benefits of fatherhood.

SECTION 7. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the commissioner of education shall establish the grant program required under Section 29.9011, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 8. Not later than September 1, 2024:

(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 531.292, Government Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) the commission shall establish and implement:

(A) the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative required under Section 531.291, Government Code, as added by this Act; and

(B) the grant program required under Section 531.292, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.