86R4645 EAS-F

By: West S.B. No. 1130

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a task force on father engagement in this state.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 265, Family Code, is amended by adding Subchapter E to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER E. TASK FORCE ON FATHER ENGAGEMENT

Sec. 265.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force" means the task force on father engagement established under Section 265.202.

Sec. 265.202. ESTABLISHMENT. The task force on father engagement is established to:

(1) evaluate services and supports available to fathers in this state;

(2) study the impact of father engagement on children, families, and communities in this state; and

(3) develop a statewide plan for expanding services and supports available to fathers and other strategies to strengthen father engagement in this state.

Sec. 265.203. COMPOSITION. (a) The governor shall determine the number of members of the task force.

(b) The task force is composed of:

(1) members appointed by the governor, which may include:

(A) policy experts in child abuse and neglect prevention, community advocacy, or related fields;

(B) directors of relevant state agencies, or the directors' designees, including the department, the Department of State Health Services, the Health and Human Services Commission, the office of the attorney general, and the Texas Workforce Commission;

(C) members of the judiciary or their designees;

(D) representatives of local government or their designees;

(E) representatives of service providers to the department;

(F) one representative who is an expert working with and studying fathers and families;

(G) one representative from a public or private institution of higher education with experience in father engagement;

(H) one representative of a statewide advocacy organization for issues related to family violence; and

(I) any other members that the governor considers appropriate;

(2) one member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house, or the member's designee; and

(3) one member of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor, or the member's designee.

Sec. 265.204. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall designate a member of the task force to serve as the presiding officer.

Sec. 265.205. VACANCY. A vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Sec. 265.206. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 265.207. DUTIES. The task force shall:

(1) receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local governmental agencies, community-based organizations, policy experts, public and private institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities regarding father engagement and evidence-based father education programs;

(2) study the social and economic impact of father engagement on children, including in regard to health care, education, child support, child welfare, and the juvenile justice system; and

(3) identify and develop strategies to address barriers to father engagement and to otherwise strengthen father engagement in this state.

Sec. 265.208. REPORT. (a) The task force shall prepare a report that includes:

(1) a description of the task force's activities;

(2) the task force's findings; and

(3) recommendations for proposed legislation and a statewide plan to expand services and supports to fathers in this state.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the task force shall provide a copy of the report to:

(1) the governor;

(2) the lieutenant governor;

(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(4) each standing committee of the senate and the house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over the department.

Sec. 265.209. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Members of the task force serve without compensation and may not be reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting the business of the task force.

Sec. 265.210. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The department shall provide administrative support to the task force, including reasonably necessary administrative and technical support.

Sec. 265.211. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 265.212. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this subchapter expires September 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the lieutenant governor shall appoint the members of the task force on father engagement as required by Subchapter E, Chapter 265, Family Code, as added by this Act.

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