Amend CSHB 1542 (house committee printing) by striking SECTION 2 of the bill (page 1, lines 13-19) and substituting the following:
SECTION 2. Section 263.001, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
(c) With respect to a child who is older than six years of age and who is removed from the child's home, if a suitable relative or other designated caregiver is not available as a placement for the child, placing the child in a foster home or a general residential operation operating as a cottage home is considered the least restrictive setting.
(d) With respect to a child who is six years of age or younger and who is removed from the child's home, if a suitable relative or other designated caregiver is not available as a placement for the child, the least restrictive setting for the child is placement in:
(1) a foster home; or
(2) a general residential operation operating as a cottage home, only if the department determines it is in the best interest of the child.