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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a committee to study adoption practices |
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in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 162, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 162.603 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 162.603. ADOPTION PRACTICES COMMITTEE. (a) The |
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adoption practices committee is created to study and make |
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recommendations for improving adoption practices in this state. |
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(b) The committee consists of nine members appointed by the |
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executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, |
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in consultation with the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the |
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house of representatives, as follows: |
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(1) a member of the house of representatives; |
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(2) a member of the senate; |
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(3) a manager of the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services with experience in adoption related issues; |
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(4) a representative of a family violence advocacy |
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center; |
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(5) a member who |
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is an adoption lawyer; |
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(6) an Administrator from a licensed child placing |
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agency with experience in both state contract and private adoption; |
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(7) a member who is a psychiatrist; and |
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(8) three members who are adoptive parents. |
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(c) Not later than June 1, 2018, the adoption practices |
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committee shall prepare and submit to the office of the governor and |
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the legislature a written report regarding the committee's |
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findings and recommendations. |
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(d) This section expires September 1, 2018. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2016, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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appoint the members of the adoption practices committee under |
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Section 162.603, Family Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |