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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to foster care placement decisions made by the Department |
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of Family and Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.107, Family Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(e) In making placement decisions, the department shall: |
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(1) consult with: |
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(A) the child's caseworker; and |
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(B) except when making an emergency placement |
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that does not allow time for the required consultations, the |
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child's attorney ad litem and [,] guardian ad litem and with any[,
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or] court-appointed volunteer advocate for the child [when
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possible]; and |
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(2) use clinical protocols to match a child to the most |
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appropriate placement resource. |
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(e-1) If the department is not able to consult with an |
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individual listed in Subsection (e)(1)(B) before the department |
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makes an emergency placement decision, the department, not later |
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than the end of the next business day after the placement is made, |
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shall notify and consult with that individual regarding the |
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placement. |
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SECTION 2. Section 264.107, Family Code, as amended by this |
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Act, applies only to a foster care placement decision made by the |
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Department of Family and Protective Services on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |