80R5471 MCK-D

By: West, Royce, Zaffirini S.B. No. 1410

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.