86R5366 MCK-D

By: Howard H.B. No. 1907

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training for certain individuals who provide care for or services to children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 264.015, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The department shall, in consultation with current foster parents and adoptive parents, develop a training program for foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship caregivers regarding the best methods of communicating with children in the conservatorship of the department about issues regarding health and well-being, including:

(1) self-image;

(2) relationships;

(3) goal setting;

(4) planning and decision making; and

(5) protection from sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and exploitation.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 264.0151 to read as follows:

Sec. 264.0151. TRAINING MATERIALS FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM, ATTORNEYS AD LITEM, AND JUDGES. The department shall, in consultation with current guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, develop training materials for guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and judges who represent or preside over cases involving children and youth in the conservatorship of the department concerning the health and well-being of those children and youth, including:

(1) policies regarding consent by a minor;

(2) general health information;

(3) information on healthy relationships; and

(4) information on advocating for or representing pregnant and parenting children and youth.

SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.036 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.036. CASEWORKER TRAINING ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. The department shall create a training program for child protective services caseworkers to provide instruction to the caseworkers on age-appropriate, trauma-informed methods of communicating with children in the managing conservatorship of the department regarding reproductive health and healthy relationships. The training program must include best practices for:

(1) providing information to a child about consent to sexual activity, including the legal age for consent under state law;

(2) preserving confidentiality; and

(3) providing services to a child who becomes pregnant or who is a minor parent.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.