By: Watson S.B. No. 1291

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training for certain individuals who provide care for or services to children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

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

SECTION 1. Section 264.015, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The department shall, in consultation with foster care alumni, Preparation for Adult Living staff, institutions of higher learning, and current foster youth, foster parents and adoptive parents, adopt or develop a training program for any foster parents, adoptive parents, or kinship caregivers regarding the most effective methods of communicating with children who are or have been in the conservatorship of the department about issues regarding health and well-being, including:

(1) self-image;

(2) healthy relationships;

(3) goal setting;

(4) planning and decision making; and

(5) protection from sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and exploitation.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 264.0151 to read as follows:

Sec. 264.0151. TRAINING MATERIALS FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM, ATTORNEYS AD LITEM, COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES AND JUDGES. The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families shall, in consultation with stakeholders including, but not limited to, current guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and court appointed special advocates, develop training materials for guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and judges who represent or preside over cases involving children and youth in the conservatorship of the department concerning the health and well-being of those children and youth, including:

(1) policies regarding consent for health care services, including reproductive health care, family planning, and contraceptive care;

(2) general health and wellness;

(3) healthy relationships; and

(4) advocating for or representing pregnant and parenting children and youth.

SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.036 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.036. CASEWORKER TRAINING ON HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. The department, in collaboration with an institute for higher learning, shall create or adopt a required training program for child protective services caseworkers to provide instruction to the caseworkers on developmentally-appropriate, trauma-informed methods of communicating with children in the managing conservatorship of the department regarding reproductive health and healthy relationships. The training must be informed by evidence-based or model curriculum and include content regarding:

(1) minor consent to sexual activity, including the legal age for consent under state law;

(2) minor consent to health care services including family planning or contraceptive services;

(3) preserving confidentiality; and

(4) providing services to a child who becomes pregnant or who is a minor parent.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.