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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a pilot program to match certain |
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teens in foster care with adult mentors. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 264.1165 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 264.1165. MENTORSHIP PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The |
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department shall establish a pilot program in Tarrant County, |
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Denton County, Dallas County, and Collin County under which |
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children in foster care who are 16 years of age or older are paired |
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with volunteer adult mentors in order to foster relationships of |
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support and guidance in preparation for the children's transition |
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to adult living. |
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(b) Children in foster care who qualify for participation in |
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the program may participate on a voluntary basis. |
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(c) An individual who volunteers as a mentor under the |
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program is subject to state and national criminal background checks |
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in accordance with Sections 411.087 and 411.114, Government Code. |
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(d) The department shall require foster parents or |
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employees of residential child-care facilities to provide |
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appropriate supervision over individuals who serve as mentors |
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during their participation in the program. |
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(e) Chapter 2109, Government Code, applies to the program. |
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(f) The executive commissioner may adopt rules for the |
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administration of this section. |
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(g) The department shall report to the lieutenant governor, |
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the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the |
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legislature not later than January 1, 2009, on the activities |
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conducted under the pilot program. The report must include the |
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department's recommendations on improvements to the program and |
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whether the program should be continued on a statewide basis. |
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(h) This section expires September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2007. |