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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a task force to study the |
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assessments of children in the child welfare system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 40.074 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 40.074. CHILD WELFARE ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE. (a) The |
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child welfare assessment task force is established to: |
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(1) study the assessments used by the department to |
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determine the appropriate placement, treatment, and service needs |
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for a child; |
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(2) develop a list of tools for providers to use when |
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conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare |
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system; and |
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(3) develop guidelines regarding the contents of |
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assessment reports. |
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(b) The task force consists of the following members |
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appointed by the executive commissioner: |
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(1) one member from the National Association of Social |
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Workers, Texas Chapter; |
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(2) one member from the Texas Foster Family |
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Association; |
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(3) one member from the Texas Psychological |
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Association; |
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(4) one member who is a member of the department's |
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public-private partnership regarding foster care redesign; |
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(5) one member who receives or has received mental |
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health services as a foster child; |
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(6) one member who is an advocate for children's |
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interests in the child welfare system; |
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(7) one member who is a judge with experience working |
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with cases involving child protective services; |
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(8) one member who is a parent with experience in the |
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child welfare system; and |
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(9) three members who are clinicians with experience |
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in, and knowledge of, comprehensive assessments and training in |
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trauma informed assessment and care. |
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(c) Each member appointed to the task force must have |
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experience and expertise relating to children's behavioral health |
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and the study and prevention of child abuse and neglect. |
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(d) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a vote |
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of the membership of the task force. |
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(e) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding |
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officer. |
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(f) Not later than December 1, 2012, the task force shall |
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prepare and submit to the commissioner a report containing: |
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(1) a description of the activities of the task force; |
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and |
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(2) the findings and recommendations of the task |
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force, including: |
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(A) a list of tools for providers to use when |
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conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare |
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system; and |
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(B) guidelines regarding the contents of |
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assessment reports. |
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(g) Not later than September 1, 2013, the department shall |
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adopt policies that incorporate the findings and recommendations of |
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the task force described by Subsection (f). |
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(h) This section expires September 1, 2014. |
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SECTION 2. The executive commissioner of the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall make the appointments to the child |
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welfare assessment task force created by this Act not later than |
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January 1, 2012. |
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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, 2011. |