86R1305 MCK-D
 
  By: Sanford H.B. No. 3390
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a voluntary temporary caregiver program providing
  temporary care for children removed from their homes.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 262, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 262.1041 and 262.1042 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 262.1041.  VOLUNTARY TEMPORARY CAREGIVER PROGRAM. (a)  
  The Department of Family and Protective Services shall create a
  program that allows a child who is removed from the child's home
  under this chapter to be placed in the care of an individual
  approved as a voluntary temporary caregiver under this section.
         (b)  The department shall establish an application and
  verification process to approve individuals to serve as voluntary
  temporary caregivers. The department's verification process must:
               (1)  include a background and criminal history record
  check of each caregiver;
               (2)  verify the caregiver:
                     (A)  has a home with adequate sleeping space for
  each child placed with the caregiver;
                     (B)  has six or fewer children in the caregiver's
  home, including the caregiver's own children and any children for
  whom the caregiver provides day care;
                     (C)  agrees to nonphysical discipline;
                     (D)  has had all pets in the caregiver's home
  vaccinated; and
                     (E)  maintains and submits to the department proof
  of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary
  resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart
  Association, or another organization that provides equivalent
  training and certification;
               (3)  require each member of the caregiver's household
  to undergo a screening test for tuberculosis infection approved by
  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
  Commission; and
               (4)  include any other administrative procedure the
  department determines is necessary to ensure the caregiver will
  provide a safe home for the child.
         (c)  The department shall require each voluntary temporary
  caregiver to receive four hours of training relating to child
  development and disciplinary techniques for children who are
  classified above a basic service level. A caregiver who applies to
  become a licensed or verified foster home shall receive a credit of
  four hours toward the training hours required by Section 42.0537,
  Human Resources Code, for a person to become a licensed or verified
  foster home.
         (d)  A voluntary temporary caregiver must agree to care for a
  child placed with the caregiver for at least 14 days.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), a child may be
  placed with a voluntary temporary caregiver for not more than 14
  days after the date the child is removed from the child's home.
         (f)  If the child's caseworker determines that it is in the
  child's best interest for the child to remain in the care of the
  voluntary temporary caregiver for more than 14 days, the caseworker
  may, if the voluntary temporary caregiver agrees:
               (1)  allow the child to remain in the care of the
  voluntary temporary caregiver;
               (2)  designate the voluntary temporary caregiver as the
  caregiver of the child under a parental child safety placement
  agreement in accordance with Subchapter L, Chapter 264; or
               (3)  designate the voluntary temporary caregiver as a
  designated caregiver of the child in accordance with Subchapter I,
  Chapter 264.
         (g)  A voluntary temporary caregiver with whom a child is
  placed under this section is not entitled to any reimbursement for
  the care the caregiver provides for the child.
         (h)  A voluntary temporary caregiver is not liable for the
  cost of any medical care the child receives while the child is
  placed with the caregiver. The cost of any medical care shall be
  covered by the existing health insurance provided for the child.
         (i)  A voluntary temporary caregiver shall ensure that the
  child:
               (1)  continues to attend the school in which the child
  was enrolled immediately before the child was removed from the
  child's home; or
               (2)  attends another school chosen by the child's
  caseworker if the child's caseworker determines that it is unsafe
  for the child to continue to attend the school in which the child
  was enrolled immediately before the child was removed from the
  child's home.
         (j)  The department shall publicize the voluntary temporary
  caregiver program and notify the parents of a child being removed
  from the child's home whether the child will be placed with a
  voluntary temporary caregiver.
         (k)  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this
  section.
         Sec. 262.1042.  RELEASE OF CHILD BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR
  JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER TO VOLUNTARY TEMPORARY CAREGIVER. A law
  enforcement or juvenile probation officer who takes possession of a
  child under this chapter may release the child to a voluntary
  temporary caregiver approved under Section 262.1041.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act:
               (1)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the
  changes in law made by this Act; and
               (2)  the Department of Family and Protective Services
  shall implement the voluntary temporary caregiver program as
  required by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.