BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2225

                                                                                                                    By: Parker et al. (Nelson)

Health & Human Services

5/6/2009

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

This bill would establish an adoption review committee that will work in conjunction with the Department of Family and Protective Services to conduct and report on an extensive review of the foster care system and identify obstacles to permanency for foster youth and provide legislative recommendations prior to the 82nd regular legislative session.

H.B. 2225 relates to creating a committee to review the process for finding permanent placements for children in the conservatorship of the state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  (a) Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), in conjunction with the adoption review committee (committee) described by Subsection (b) of this section, to conduct an extensive review of the foster care system to identify obstacles that impede DFPS's ability to find a permanent placement for foster children, including placement by adoption, and develop certain ways to improve the foster care system.

(b) Sets forth the composition of the nine-member committee. 

(c) Requires the committee to meet at least quarterly.

(d) Requires DFPS, not later than December 1, 2010, to submit a written report of the results of the review conducted under Subsection (a) of this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the House Committee on Human Services, and the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.  Sets forth the required content of the report.

SECTION 2.  Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission and the governor, not later than December 1, 2009, to appoint the members of the committee and requires the committee to begin performing its duties as provided by this Act.

SECTION 3. Provides that the committee is abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2011.

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.