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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the evaluation of potential foster parents and adoptive |
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parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 42.064 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 42.064. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION REQUIRED. (a) The |
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department or a licensed child-placing agency may not place a child |
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in a licensed or verified foster home, foster group home, agency |
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foster home, or agency foster group home unless the department or |
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licensed child-placing agency has performed a psychological |
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evaluation of the operator of the home to determine the operator's |
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personality and emotional characteristics and strengths and |
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weaknesses to: |
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(1) determine whether the operator: |
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(A) is psychologically fit and emotionally |
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prepared to be a foster care provider; or |
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(B) poses a danger or risk to children in foster |
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care; and |
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(2) appropriately match the foster care provider with |
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a child for whom the foster care provider is best able to provide a |
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safe, nurturing environment. |
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(b) The department or a licensed child placing agency may |
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not place a child in an adoptive home unless the department or |
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licensed child-placing agency has performed a psychological |
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evaluation of the potential adoptive parents in the manner provided |
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by Subsection (a) for evaluating foster care providers. |
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(c) The department shall evaluate available nationally |
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recognized psychological examination and evaluation tools to |
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determine the appropriate examination or evaluation tool for |
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purposes of this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 42.064, Human Resources Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to a child placed in a foster home or an |
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adoptive home on or after the effective date of this Act. A child |
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placed in a foster home or an adoptive home before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the |
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child was placed in the foster home or adoptive home, and the former |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2009. |