83R13219 MCK-F
 
  By: Uresti S.B. No. 1758
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a task force to examine hiring and
  management practices of the Department of Family and Protective
  Services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter X to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER X. TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
  HIRING AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
         Sec. 531.971.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
               (2)  "Department" means the Department of Family and
  Protective Services.
               (3)  "Division" means the child protective services
  division of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
               (4)  "Task force" means the Task Force to Examine
  Hiring and Management Practices to Improve Hiring and Retention of
  Child Protective Services Caseworkers and Improve Child Welfare.
         Sec. 531.972.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE; COMPOSITION.
  (a) The task force is established to examine hiring and management
  practices, to develop policy recommendations, if needed, and to
  design a comprehensive performance-based compensation and
  recognition system with the goal of increasing retention and
  reducing turnover of division caseworkers.
         (b)  The task force is composed of:
               (1)  the following members appointed jointly by the
  chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the
  chair of the House Human Services Committee:
                     (A)  one member from the department
  administration;
                     (B)  one former division caseworker;
                     (C)  three members from the department, each of
  whom is at a different stage of service in the division as follows:
                           (i)  one current division caseworker;
                           (ii)  one current division supervisor; and
                           (iii)  one current division program
  director;
                     (D)  two chief executive officers of corporations
  that use performance-based compensation in their organization;
                     (E)  one consultant for a nonprofit organization
  that specializes in human resources and recruitment and retention
  initiatives;
                     (F)  two human resources directors for for-profit
  entities who are familiar with performance-based compensation and
  the recruitment and retention of employees; and
                     (G)  one member from a statewide advocacy
  organization that advocates in the field of child protective
  services;
               (2)  one member from the human resources department of
  the commission appointed by the executive commissioner of the
  Health and Human Services Commission; and
               (3)  any other person the chair of the Senate Health and
  Human Services Committee and the chair of the House Human Services
  Committee jointly determine to be appropriate.
         Sec. 531.973.  VACANCY. A vacancy on the task force shall be
  filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
         Sec. 531.974.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The member appointed by
  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
  Commission shall serve as the presiding officer of the task force.
         Sec. 531.975.  MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the
  call of the presiding officer.
         Sec. 531.976.  COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Members of the
  task force are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for
  expenses.
         Sec. 531.977.  DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:
               (1)  receive reports and testimony from individuals,
  state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other
  public and private organizations;
               (2)  examine hiring and management practices that
  reduce turnover and improve outcomes for children, including
  performance-based compensation and recognition, increasing the
  percentage of hiring specialists with prior division experience,
  improving caseworker screening processes, improving caseworker
  assignments to best fit employee skills, involving unit supervisors
  in the hiring and academy training processes, implementing a
  statewide mentorship program, and developing caseworker unit
  assignment process to particular geographic regions; and
               (3)  develop any necessary policy recommendations.
         (b)  The task force shall prepare a report that includes:
               (1)  a description of the activities of the task force;
               (2)  the findings and recommendations of the task
  force, including any proposed policy recommendations; and
               (3)  any proposals for legislation or other matters the
  task force considers appropriate.
         (c)  Not later than September 1, 2014, the task force shall
  submit the report required by Subsection (b) to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of
  representatives.
         Sec. 531.978.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission shall
  provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical support
  for task force activities.
         Sec. 531.979.  RULEMAKING ASSISTANCE. The department shall
  seek the assistance of the task force if the department proposes to
  adopt or amend a rule as the result of a recommendation of the task
  force.
         Sec. 531.980.  APPLICABILITY OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE LAW.
  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the task force.
         Sec. 531.981.  EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
  this subchapter expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of
  the task force created by Subchapter X, Chapter 531, Government
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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.