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.