80R5471 MCK-D
 
  By: Naishtat H.B. No. 3756
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the management of child protective services
caseworkers.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 531.048, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
       (d-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (d), the Department of
Family and Protective Services shall ensure that the average
caseload for the following categories of department caseworkers
does not exceed the number specified by this subsection:
             (1)  for case management caseworkers and investigative
caseworkers in the child protective services division providing
services through conservatorship programs, an average of 24 cases
at any time; and
             (2)  for case management caseworkers in the child
protective services division providing services through foster and
adoption programs and family-based safety services programs, an
average equal to 80 percent of the average caseload that existed on
January 1, 2007, for those caseworkers.
       SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.0325 to read as follows:
       Sec. 40.0325.  DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR CASEWORKERS. (a)  
The department may not employ a person as a caseworker unless the
person holds a bachelor's degree or advanced degree in at least one
of the following academic areas:
             (1)  social work;
             (2)  counseling;
             (3)  early childhood education;
             (4)  psychology;
             (5)  criminal justice; or
             (6)  elementary or secondary education.
       (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the department may
employ a person as a caseworker who does not hold a degree required
by Subsection (a) if the person has other exceptional education or
experience that the department determines qualifies the person to
perform the functions of a caseworker.
       SECTION 3.  Section 40.0325, Human Resources Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to a caseworker hired by the Department of
Family and Protective Services on or after the effective date of
this Act. A caseworker hired before the effective date of this Act
is not required to possess the degree required by Section 40.0325,
Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, as long as the person
remains employed by the Department of Family and Protective
Services as a caseworker.
       SECTION 4.  The Department of Family and Protective Services
shall increase and maintain the salary for case management and
investigative caseworkers and supervisors in the child protective
services division providing services through conservatorship
programs, foster and adoption programs, and family-based safety
services programs so that the salary for each employee exceeds 200
percent of the federal poverty level.
       SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.