86R7061 MCK-D
 
  By: Hernandez H.B. No. 1626
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an emergency services coordinator for the Department of
  Family and Protective Services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 40.0327 to read as follows:
         Sec. 40.0327.  EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR. (a) The
  department shall designate a department employee as the emergency
  services coordinator to:
               (1)  manage the department's efforts to prepare for and
  react to any natural disaster or emergency situation; and
               (2)  serve as a liaison between the department and
  other state agencies and nonprofit agencies that provide assistance
  to families receiving services from the department.
         (b)  The department's emergency services coordinator shall:
               (1)  coordinate emergency preparedness efforts to
  ensure individuals served by department programs are informed about
  locations where services will be provided during a natural disaster
  or emergency situation;
               (2)  ensure all foster and adoptive families are
  informed about a potential natural disaster or emergency situation
  and the emergency procedures they should follow;
               (3)  coordinate with other state agencies and other
  persons to ensure that children in the conservatorship of the
  department have access to health care services during a natural
  disaster or emergency situation;
               (4)  develop partnerships with local law enforcement
  agencies to ensure that intakes, investigations, and removals
  continue during a natural disaster or emergency situation; and 
               (5)  monitor evacuations of facilities and homes that
  house children in the conservatorship of the department and
  maintain contact with those facilities and homes throughout a
  natural disaster or emergency situation to ensure the safety and
  well-being of the children.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.