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AN ACT
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relating to developing a strategic plan regarding implementation of |
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prevention and early intervention services and community-based |
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care and conducting a study regarding the resources provided to |
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foster parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 40.079 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 40.079. STRATEGIC STATE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT |
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COMMUNITY-BASED CARE AND FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) The |
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department shall develop a strategic plan for the coordinated |
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implementation of: |
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(1) community-based care as defined by Section |
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264.152, Family Code; and |
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(2) foster care prevention services that meet the |
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requirements of Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123. |
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(b) The strategic plan required under this section must: |
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(1) identify a network of services providers to |
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provide mental health, substance use, and in-home parenting support |
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services for: |
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(A) children at risk of entering foster care; |
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(B) the parents and caregivers of children |
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identified under Paragraph (A); and |
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(C) pregnant or parenting youth in foster care; |
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(2) identify methods for the statewide implementation |
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of foster care prevention services, including implementation in |
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department regions that are transitioning to community-based care; |
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(3) identify resources necessary for the department to |
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implement community-based care and to coordinate that |
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implementation with the implementation of foster care prevention |
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services, including: |
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(A) enhanced training related to procurement, |
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contract monitoring and enforcement services, information |
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technology services, and financial and legal services; |
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(B) a financial methodology for funding the |
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implementation of community-based care and foster care prevention |
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services; and |
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(C) resources to address the placement of |
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children in settings eligible for federal financial participation |
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under the requirements of Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123; |
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(4) identify methods to: |
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(A) maximize resources from the federal |
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government under Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123; |
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(B) apply for other available federal and private |
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funds; |
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(C) streamline and reduce duplication of effort |
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by each state agency involved in providing services described by |
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Subdivision (1); |
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(D) streamline the procedures for determining |
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eligibility for services described by Subdivision (1); |
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(E) prescribe and terminate services described |
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by Subdivision (1); and |
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(F) reduce recidivism in foster care prevention |
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services; |
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(5) include a method to: |
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(A) notify the Senate Health and Human Services |
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Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Committee on |
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Human Services, the House Committee on Public Health, and the House |
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Appropriations Committee of federal and private funding |
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opportunities; and |
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(B) respond to the opportunities described by |
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Paragraph (A); and |
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(6) identify opportunities to coordinate with |
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independent researchers to assist community programs in evaluating |
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and developing trauma-informed services and promising, supported, |
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or well-supported services and strategies under Title VII, Div. E, |
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Pub. L. No. 115-123. |
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(c) In identifying the network of providers described by |
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Subsection (b)(1), the department shall consult with the Health and |
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Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, |
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and community stakeholders. |
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(d) This section does not supersede or limit the |
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department's duty to develop and maintain the plan under Section |
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264.153, Family Code. |
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(e) The department shall submit the plan developed under |
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this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker |
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of the house of representatives, and each member of the standing |
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committees of the senate and house of representatives having |
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primary jurisdiction over child welfare issues not later than |
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September 1, 2020. |
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(f) This section expires September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The Department of Family and Protective |
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Services shall conduct a study to evaluate whether the department |
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provides foster parents with adequate resources to ensure that |
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foster parents are able to comply with all of the regulations |
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relating to providing care for a child in the conservatorship of the |
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department. |
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(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the department shall |
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prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing |
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the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or |
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other action. |
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(c) This section expires September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the Senate on |
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March 20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; |
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May 23, 2019, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and |
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requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2019, House |
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granted request of the Senate; May 25, 2019, Senate adopted |
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Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 30, |
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Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the House, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 142, |
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Nays 2, two present not voting; May 23, 2019, House granted request |
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of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; |
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May 25, 2019, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the |
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following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, one present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |