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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring permanency planning meetings for certain |
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children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 263, Family Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 263. REVIEW OF PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER CARE OF |
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DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE [AND REGULATORY] SERVICES |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 263, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 263.009 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 263.009. PERMANENCY PLANNING MEETINGS. (a) Except as |
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provided by Subsection (b), the department shall hold a permanency |
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planning meeting for each child for whom the department is |
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appointed temporary managing conservator: |
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(1) not later than the 45th day after the date the |
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department is named temporary managing conservator of the child; |
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(2) not later than five months after the date the |
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department is named temporary managing conservator of the child; |
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and |
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(3) not later than nine months after the date the |
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department is named temporary managing conservator of the child. |
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(b) The department is not required to hold a permanency |
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planning meeting for a child if the child has received a permanent |
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placement or the department has selected a permanent placement for |
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the child. |
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(c) The department shall give notice of each permanency |
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planning meeting to: |
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(1) the child, if the child is at least seven years of |
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age; |
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(2) the child's attorney ad litem; |
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(3) the child's guardian ad litem; |
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(4) any court-appointed volunteer advocate for the |
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child; |
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(5) the child's substitute care provider and any |
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child-placing agency involved with the child; |
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(6) each of the child's parents and the parents' |
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attorney, unless: |
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(A) the parent cannot be located; |
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(B) the parent has executed an affidavit of |
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relinquishment of parental rights; or |
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(C) the parent's parental rights have been |
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terminated; and |
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(7) any other person the department determines should |
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attend the permanency planning meeting. |
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(d) The department shall give the notice required by |
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Subsection (c) by electronic mail if possible. |
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SECTION 3. Section 263.009, Family Code, as added by this |
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Act, applies only to a child placed in the temporary managing |
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conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services |
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on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |