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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation by the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services of positions and organizations to facilitate the provision |
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of services to foster youth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Sections 40.075 and 40.076 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 40.075. YOUTH SPECIALISTS. (a) The department shall |
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designate an employee in each department region and one employee at |
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the state level to manage and coordinate regional outreach to |
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foster youth and assist the department in developing services, |
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policies, and procedures for foster youth. |
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(b) In addition to the duties described in Subsection (a), |
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each regional-level employee designated by the department under |
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Subsection (a) shall: |
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(1) assist foster youth in understanding the foster |
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children's bill of rights developed under Section 263.008, Family |
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Code, and ensure that the foster children's bill of rights is posted |
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in all facilities for foster youth licensed by the department; |
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(2) administer an annual survey of foster youth 10 |
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years of age or older and younger than 23 years of age to collect |
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information related to foster placements and the services provided |
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in foster placements; |
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(3) coordinate and facilitate the operation of the |
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regional youth leadership councils established under Section |
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40.076; and |
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(4) create and coordinate leadership opportunities |
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for foster youth. |
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(c) The department shall include the results of the survey |
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administered under Subsection (b)(2) in the department's annual |
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report. |
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(d) In addition to the duties described in Subsection (a), |
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the state-level employee designated by the department under |
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Subsection (a) shall: |
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(1) oversee the activities of the regional-level |
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employees designated by the department under Subsection (a); and |
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(2) organize and facilitate the operation of the state |
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youth leadership council established under Section 40.076. |
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Sec. 40.076. YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCILS. (a) The department |
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shall establish a youth leadership council in each department |
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region of the state. Each regional youth leadership council shall: |
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(1) be composed of current and former foster youth; |
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and |
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(2) meet monthly to discuss department policies and |
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any other subject the members of the council consider to be |
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appropriate. |
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(b) The department shall establish a state youth leadership |
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council. The state youth leadership council shall: |
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(1) be composed of two members from each regional |
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youth leadership council in the state; and |
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(2) meet quarterly to: |
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(A) collaborate with the department to develop a |
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formal consumer engagement plan, including strategies for engaging |
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youth and young adults in foster care in the development of |
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department programs, policies, and practices; |
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(B) review all changes to department policies and |
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procedures that impact foster youth, before implementation of the |
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changes; |
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(C) compose and deliver a biennial report to the |
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legislature containing: |
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(i) a description of the activities of the |
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regional youth leadership councils; |
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(ii) a briefing on current issues facing |
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foster youth transitioning to independent living; |
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(iii) a summary of relevant data published |
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by the department relating to older foster youth; and |
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(iv) recommendations for improvements to |
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department policies and practices; and |
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(D) perform any other duties that the members of |
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the council believe are necessary or appropriate. |
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(c) The department must seek input from the state youth |
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leadership council before the department implements a change to any |
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policy or procedure that impacts children in foster care. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |