Amend HB 753 (senate committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ___. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.074 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.074. CHILD WELFARE ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE. (a) The child welfare assessment task force is established to:

(1) study the assessments used by the department to determine the appropriate placement, treatment, and service needs for a child;

(2) develop a list of tools for providers to use when conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare system; and

(3) develop guidelines regarding the contents of assessment reports.

(b) The task force consists of the following members appointed by the executive commissioner:

(1) one member from the National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter;

(2) one member from the Texas Foster Family Association;

(3) one member from the Texas Psychological Association;

(4) one member who is a member of the department's public-private partnership regarding foster care redesign;

(5) one member who receives or has received mental health services as a foster child;

(6) one member who is an advocate for children's interests in the child welfare system;

(7) one member who is a judge with experience working with cases involving child protective services;

(8) one member who is a parent with experience in the child welfare system;

(9) three members who are clinicians with experience in, and knowledge of, comprehensive assessments and training in trauma-informed assessment and care;

(10) one member from the department; and

(11) one member from the commission.

(c) Each member appointed to the task force must have experience and expertise relating to children's behavioral health and the study and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

(d) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a vote of the membership of the task force.

(e) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

(f) Not later than December 1, 2012, the task force shall prepare and submit to the commissioner a report containing:

(1) a description of the activities of the task force; and

(2) the findings and recommendations of the task force, including:

(A) a list of tools for providers to use when conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare system; and

(B) guidelines regarding the contents of assessment reports.

(g) Not later than September 1, 2013, the department shall adopt policies that incorporate the findings and recommendations of the task force described by Subsection (f), to the extent that such recommendations:

(1) are generally accepted standards of practice or care for a physician, psychologist, or other professional who would conduct the assessment; and

(2) can be implemented within existing fiscal resources appropriated to the department.

(h) This section expires September 1, 2014.

SECTION ___. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall make the appointments to the child welfare assessment task force created by this Act not later than January 1, 2012.

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