By: Raymond (Senate Sponsor - Nelson) H.B. No. 748

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 15, 2013; April 17, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; May 9, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 9, 2013, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a waiver allowing the Department of Family and Protective Services to use certain federal funds to test innovation strategies in child welfare programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.074 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.074. WAIVER TO USE FUNDS TO TEST INNOVATIONS TO CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. (a) The department shall apply for and actively pursue a waiver, as authorized by the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Pub. L. No. 112-34), to allow the department to use federal funds available under Title IV-E, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq.), to conduct demonstration projects to accomplish one or more of the following goals:

(1) providing more permanency for children by reducing time in foster care and promoting successful transitions to adulthood for former foster youth;

(2) increasing positive outcomes for infants, children, and families in their homes and communities and increasing the safety and well-being of infants, children, and youth; and

(3) preventing child abuse and neglect and the reentry of children into foster care.

(b) This section expires December 31, 2015.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

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