By: Pierson, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Nelson) H.B. No. 3008

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 14, 2007; May 15, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; May 18, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 18, 2007, sent to printer.)

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.

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