By: Uresti  S.B. No. 769
         (In the Senate - Filed February 22, 2013; February 26, 2013,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
  Services; March 28, 2013, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; March 28, 2013, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide
  specialized training to foster parents of certain children.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.124 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.124.  FOSTER PARENT PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The
  department shall establish a pilot program to provide specialized
  training to foster parents of children who have been traumatized or
  have serious mental health needs if the department or another state
  agency is able to provide the training using existing resources or a
  local governmental entity or charitable organization is able to
  provide the training at no cost to the state.
         (b)  The department shall:
               (1)  establish the pilot program in a county with a
  population of at least 1.5 million that is within 200 miles of an
  international border;
               (2)  coordinate the specialized training as part of
  community-based services and support provided under a Wraparound
  individualized planning process for foster children as prescribed
  by the Texas Integrated Funding Initiative Consortium; and
               (3)  evaluate the pilot program not later than the
  second anniversary of the date the program is established.
         (c)  The department shall prepare a report containing the
  evaluation required under Subsection (b)(3) and the department's
  recommendations on the feasibility and continuation of the pilot
  program.  The department shall submit electronically a copy of the
  report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
  house of representatives not later than December 1, 2016.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than May 1, 2014, the Department of
  Family and Protective Services shall establish the pilot program
  required under Section 264.124, Family Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
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