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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to developing and maintaining risk assessment criteria for |
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use in determining whether an elderly or disabled person is in |
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imminent risk of abuse. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 48, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 48.2055 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 48.2055. PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The department shall, |
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out of funds appropriated, implement a pilot program to evaluate |
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the feasibility and any associated benefits of providing protective |
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services when an elderly or disabled person has been determined to |
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be at risk of future harm from abuse, neglect, or exploitation using |
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the risk assessment criteria described in Section 48.004(a). |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 48.002(a)(5), the provision of |
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protective services in an area in which a pilot program described by |
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subsection (a) has been implemented does not require that an |
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elderly or disabled person be in a state of abuse, neglect, or |
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exploitation. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Section 48.1523, the department is not |
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required to conduct a management review of recidivistic cases in an |
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area in which a pilot program described by subsection (a) has been |
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implemented. |
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SECTION 2. The department shall implement the pilot program |
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described in section 48.2055, Human Resources Code, not later than |
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January 1, 2016. The pilot may be conducted up until August 31, 2017 |
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but may terminate earlier if, in the discretion of the adult |
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protective services program, it is appropriate for the program to |
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be terminated. DFPS shall submit a report of preliminary findings |
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from the program to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and |
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appropriate legislative committees having oversight over the Adult |
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Protective Services division not later than December 15, 2016 and |
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on any additional findings not later than December 15, 2017. |
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SECTION 3. Section 48.2055, Human Resources Code, expires |
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August 31, 2017. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |