BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1852

By: Naishtat

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Because a stable first placement is critical to the success of a child's time spent in the conservatorship of the state, interested parties assert that a thorough assessment of the needs of a child is imperative to determining appropriate mental health treatment and placement within the foster system. The parties contend that accurately assessing a child's needs as the child enters the state's care will improve ultimate outcomes for the child and minimize the expenditure of state resources on unnecessary testing and multiple placements. C.S.H.B. 1852 seeks to provide for such assessment.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1852 amends the Family Code to require a child to receive a developmentally appropriate comprehensive assessment not later than the 45th day after the date the child enters the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The bill requires the assessment to include a screening for trauma and interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the child's needs. The bill requires DFPS to develop guidelines regarding the contents of an assessment report.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1852 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Chapter 266, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 266.012 to read as follows: Sec. 266.012.  COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS.  (a) Not later than the 45th day after the date a child enters the conservatorship of the department, the child shall receive a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive psychosocial assessment. The assessment must include: (1)  a screening for trauma; and (2)  interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the child's needs. (b)  The department shall develop: (1)  a schedule of approved assessment tools that may be used in the performance of an assessment; and (2)  guidelines regarding the contents of an assessment report.	SECTION 1.  Chapter 266, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 266.012 to read as follows: Sec. 266.012.  COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS.  (a) Not later than the 45th day after the date a child enters the conservatorship of the department, the child shall receive a developmentally appropriate comprehensive assessment. The assessment must include: (1)  a screening for trauma; and (2)  interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the child's needs. (b)  The department shall develop guidelines regarding the contents of an assessment report.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.