80R14240 KSD-D
 
  By: Pierson H.B. No. 3008
 
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3008:
 
  By:  Rose C.S.H.B. No. 3008
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a pilot program to match certain
teens in foster care with adult mentors.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.1165 to read as follows:
       Sec. 264.1165.  MENTORSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The
department shall establish a pilot program under which the
department contracts with a private or nonprofit entity to pair
children in foster care in Tarrant County, Denton County, Dallas
County, and Collin County who are 14 years of age or older with
volunteer adult mentors in order to foster relationships of support
and guidance in preparation for the children's transition to adult
living.
       (b)  The private or nonprofit entity selected by the
department to administer the program must have a demonstrated
record of successfully providing services similar to those provided
under the program.
       (c)  Children in foster care who qualify for participation in
the program may participate on a voluntary basis.
       (d)  An individual who volunteers as a mentor under the
program is subject to state and national criminal background checks
in accordance with Sections 411.087 and 411.114, Government Code.
       (e)  The department shall encourage substitute care
providers to facilitate participation in the program by a child who
chooses to voluntarily participate in the program.
       (f)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules for the
administration of this section.
       (g)  The department shall report to the lieutenant governor,
the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the
legislature not later than January 1, 2011, on the activities
conducted under the pilot program. The report must include the
department's recommendations on improvements to the program and
whether the program should be continued on a statewide basis.
       (h)  The department shall contract with a public institution
of higher education located in the geographic area served by the
pilot program for the institution to conduct an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the program. The institution selected to conduct
an evaluation under this subsection shall report its findings to
the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the members of the legislature not later than
January 1, 2011. The report must include the institution's:
             (1)  assessment of the effectiveness of the program;
and
             (2)  recommendations on improvements to the program and
whether the program should be continued on a statewide basis.
       (i)  This section expires September 1, 2011.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.