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78R4809 KEG-F


By:  Hartnett                                                     H.B. No. 2433



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot project to address continuing needs for more 
child protective services caseworkers in certain regions of this 
state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:                                          
		(1)  "Caseworker" means a full-time employee who is a 
child protective service specialist.
		(2)  "Department" means the Department of Protective 
and Regulatory Services.
		(3)  "Target region" means a department service region 
in which the department, before September 1, 2003, implemented a 
pilot project under Chapter 607, Acts of the 77th Legislature, 
Regular Session, 2001, and subsequently terminated the pilot 
project after successfully reducing vacancies in authorized 
caseworker positions in that service region.
		(4)  "Target training academy" means a training academy 
that trains caseworkers for the department and that is located in a 
target region.
	SECTION 2.  PILOT PROJECT.  Subject to available funding, 
the department shall implement a pilot project to assist a target 
region in continuing to accomplish the goals of the pilot project 
under Chapter 607, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 
2001.
	SECTION 3.  DEPARTMENT DUTIES. In implementing the pilot 
project under this Act, the department shall:
		(1)  remove the limit on the number of authorized 
caseworker positions in a target region;
		(2)  increase the number of trainee positions in a 
target training academy to a total that is 140 percent of the number 
of trainee positions immediately before September 1, 2003;
		(3)  maintain the number of trainers and other 
necessary training academy positions in a target training academy 
at the level necessary to accomplish the purposes of Subdivision 
(2) of this section; and
		(4)  provide available funds as necessary to accomplish 
the purposes of Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this section.
	SECTION 4.  REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2004, the 
department shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the 
effect of the pilot project under this Act on the retention of 
caseworkers in each target region in which the pilot project under 
this Act is implemented.  The report must include an assessment of 
the continuing need for the pilot project and a recommendation on 
whether the project should be continued.  The legislature shall 
consider the report in considering additional legislation to 
address the need of certain regions of the state for child 
protective services caseworkers.
	SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 
1, 2003.         
	SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires September 1, 
2005.