By: West, Kolkhorst S.B. No. 355

(In the Senate - Filed January 15, 2019; February 7, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; March 14, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 14, 2019, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 355 By: Perry

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to developing a strategic plan to ensure that the provision of prevention and early intervention services complies with federal law.

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 PLAN TO IMPLEMENT FEDERAL LAW REGARDING FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) The department shall develop a strategic plan for the implementation of 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 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); and

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

(3) 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

(4) 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) In developing the procedure described by Subsection (b)(2), the department shall consult with the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services.

(e) This section expires March 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2020, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall make the plan required by Section 40.079, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, available to 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.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

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