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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creating a mentor program for foster youth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 264.1214 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 264.1214. FOSTER YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM. (a) The |
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department shall work with community-based organizations to |
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establish a mentor program to serve foster youth age 14 or older. |
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The mentor program must: |
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(1) match foster youth in a one-on-one mentor |
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relationship with an adult volunteer; |
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(2) focus on building healthy peer networks, |
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increasing self-confidence, and improving optimism about the |
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future; and |
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(3) assist foster youth in developing life skills in |
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conjunction with the experiential life-skills training program. |
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(b) The department shall: |
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(1) recruit volunteers, including former foster |
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youth, to serve as mentors; and |
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(2) require volunteer mentors to serve at least eight |
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hours each month for at least one year. |
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(c) A person who volunteers as a mentor is subject to state |
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and national criminal background checks in accordance with Sections |
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411.087 and 411.114, Government Code. |
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(d) The department shall provide annual evidence-based |
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intervention training for all volunteers. |
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(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |