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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a waiver allowing the Health and Human Services |
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Commission to use certain federal funds to test innovation |
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strategies in child welfare programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.0881 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.0881. WAIVER TO USE FUNDS TO TEST INNOVATIONS TO |
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CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. (a) The commission shall apply for and |
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actively pursue a waiver, as authorized by the Child and Family |
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Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Pub. L. No. 112-34), to |
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allow the commission to use federal funds available under Title |
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IV-E, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq.), to |
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conduct demonstration projects to accomplish one or more of the |
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following goals: |
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(1) providing more permanency for children by reducing |
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time in foster care and promoting successful transitions to |
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adulthood for former foster youth; |
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(2) increasing positive outcomes for infants, |
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children, and families in their homes and communities and |
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increasing the safety and well-being of infants, children, and |
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youth; and |
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(3) preventing child abuse and neglect and the reentry |
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of children into foster care. |
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(b) This section expires December 31, 2015. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2013. |