S.B. No. 355

AN ACT

relating to developing a strategic plan regarding implementation of prevention and early intervention services and community-based care and conducting a study regarding the resources provided to foster parents.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.079 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.079. STRATEGIC STATE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-BASED CARE AND FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) The department shall develop a strategic plan for the coordinated implementation of:

(1) community-based care as defined by Section 264.152, Family Code; and

(2) foster care prevention services that meet the requirements of Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123.

(b) The strategic plan required under this section must:

(1) identify a network of services providers to provide mental health, substance use, and in-home parenting support services for:

(A) children at risk of entering foster care;

(B) the parents and caregivers of children identified under Paragraph (A); and

(C) pregnant or parenting youth in foster care;

(2) identify methods for the statewide implementation of foster care prevention services, including implementation in department regions that are transitioning to community-based care;

(3) identify resources necessary for the department to implement community-based care and to coordinate that implementation with the implementation of foster care prevention services, including:

(A) enhanced training related to procurement, contract monitoring and enforcement services, information technology services, and financial and legal services;

(B) a financial methodology for funding the implementation of community-based care and foster care prevention services; and

(C) resources to address the placement of children in settings eligible for federal financial participation under the requirements of Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123;

(4) identify methods to:

(A) maximize resources from the federal government under Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123;

(B) apply for other available federal and private funds;

(C) streamline and reduce duplication of effort by each state agency involved in providing services described by Subdivision (1);

(D) streamline the procedures for determining eligibility for services described by Subdivision (1);

(E) prescribe and terminate services described by Subdivision (1); and

(F) reduce recidivism in foster care prevention services;

(5) include a method to:

(A) notify the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Committee on Human Services, the House Committee on Public Health, and the House Appropriations Committee of federal and private funding opportunities; and

(B) respond to the opportunities described by Paragraph (A); and

(6) identify opportunities to coordinate with independent researchers to assist community programs in evaluating and developing trauma-informed services and promising, supported, or well-supported services and strategies under Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123.

(c) In identifying the network of providers described by Subsection (b)(1), the department shall consult with the Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and community stakeholders.

(d) This section does not supersede or limit the department's duty to develop and maintain the plan under Section 264.153, Family Code.

(e) The department shall submit the plan developed under this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over child welfare issues not later than September 1, 2020.

(f) This section expires September 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. (a) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall conduct a study to evaluate whether the department provides foster parents with adequate resources to ensure that foster parents are able to comply with all of the regulations relating to providing care for a child in the conservatorship of the department.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the department shall prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(c) This section expires September 1, 2021.

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.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the Senate on March 20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; May 23, 2019, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2019, House granted request of the Senate; May 25, 2019, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the House, with amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 2, two present not voting; May 23, 2019, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 25, 2019, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor