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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the determination of intellectual disability for |
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children in foster care. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.1075, Family Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) As soon as possible after a child begins receiving |
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foster care under this subchapter, the department shall assess |
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whether the child has a developmental or intellectual disability. |
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The department may assess a child for a developmental or |
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intellectual disability only once during the period of time that |
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the child receives foster care. |
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(c) If the assessment required by Subsection (b) indicates |
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that the child might have an intellectual disability, the |
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department shall ensure that a determination of intellectual |
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disability is conducted by an authorized provider before the date |
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of the child's 16th birthday. If the child began receiving foster |
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care after the child's 16th birthday, the determination of |
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intellectual disability must be conducted as soon as possible after |
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the assessment required by Subsection (b). In this subsection, |
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"authorized provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 593.004, |
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Health and Safety Code. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |