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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain requirements regarding court-appointed |
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volunteer advocate programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.601, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b) to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Active volunteer advocate" means an individual |
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who: |
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(A) has been trained by a volunteer advocate |
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program in accordance with recognized standards for volunteer |
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advocate programs; and |
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(B) is currently serving as a volunteer advocate |
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on at least one child's case. |
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(1-b) "Inactive volunteer advocate" means an |
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individual who: |
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(A) has been trained by a volunteer advocate |
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program in accordance with recognized standards for volunteer |
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advocate programs; and |
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(B) is not currently serving as a volunteer |
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advocate. |
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SECTION 2. Section 264.603(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The commission shall contract with one statewide |
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organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under |
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Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization |
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described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code and designated as a |
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supporting organization under Section 509(a)(3) of that code, and |
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that is composed of individuals or groups of individuals who have |
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expertise in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience |
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in operating volunteer advocate programs to provide training, |
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technical assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of |
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local volunteer advocate programs. The contract shall: |
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(1) include measurable goals and objectives relating |
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to the number of: |
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(A) active volunteer advocates in the program; |
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[and] |
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(B) inactive volunteer advocates in the program; |
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and |
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(C) children receiving services from the |
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program; and |
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(2) follow practices designed to ensure compliance |
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with standards referenced in the contract. |
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SECTION 3. Section 264.604(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A person is eligible for a contract under Section |
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264.602 only if the person is a public or private nonprofit entity |
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that operates a volunteer advocate program that: |
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(1) uses individuals appointed as volunteer advocates |
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or guardians ad litem by the court to provide for the needs of |
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abused or neglected children; |
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(2) has provided court-appointed advocacy services |
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for at least six months; |
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(3) provides court-appointed advocacy services for at |
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least 10 children each month; [and] |
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(4) has demonstrated that the program has local |
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judicial support; |
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(5) has adopted a grievance procedure to address |
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complaints regarding negligence or misconduct related to a |
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volunteer advocate's duties under Section 107.002; and |
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(6) maintains accurate records regarding active |
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volunteer advocates and inactive volunteer advocates under the |
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program. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |