85R8858 MK-D
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 699
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a kinship caregiver navigator
  program by the Health and Human Services Commission.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.0881 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0881.  KINSHIP CAREGIVER NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. (a)
  The executive commissioner, using existing resources, shall
  establish a statewide kinship caregiver navigator program that
  facilitates access to information and referrals to services for
  relative and kinship caregivers of children. 
         (b)  The kinship caregiver navigator program established
  under this section must include an information and referral
  network. The information and referral network shall incorporate all
  health and human services agencies and divisions within the
  commission that provide services to children, including:
               (1)  the Department of Family and Protective Services;
               (2)  the Department of State Health Services; and
               (3)  any division of the commission that oversees:
                     (A)  social services; 
                     (B)  community-based services; or
                     (C)  access and eligibility for Medicaid or the
  child health plan program and the services provided through those
  programs. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.