88R15482 MM-D
 
  By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 4155
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to policies and procedures of the Department of Family and
  Protective Services, including regarding service plans and
  post-removal assessments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 263, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 263.1021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 263.1021.  SELECTION OF SERVICE PROVIDER. (a)  A parent
  who is required to complete a service plan under this subchapter may
  obtain services from any qualified or licensed provider selected by
  the parent.
         (b)  Services obtained from a provider selected under
  Subsection (a) must be designed to achieve the stated goals of the
  service plan.
         (c)  A service provider selected by a parent shall certify in
  writing whether the parent has satisfactorily completed the
  required service.
         (d)  If the department does not accept the certification from
  a service provider under Subsection (c), not later than the 48th
  hour after the department issues the denial, the department shall
  notify the parent's state representative, the parent's state
  senator, and the department's office of internal affairs about the
  department's denial of the certification and the reason for the
  denial.
         SECTION 2.  Section 264.1076, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  In addition to the medical examination required by
  Subsection (b), the department shall ensure that not later than the
  end of the 15th day after the date a child described by Subsection
  (a) is removed from the child's home, the child receives:
               (1)  a child and adolescent needs and strengths
  assessment; and
               (2)  a medical checkup conducted in accordance with the
  Texas Health Steps program.
         SECTION 3.  Section 264.1076(b-1), Family Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to a child who enters the conservatorship of
  the Department of Family and Protective Services on or after the
  effective date of this Act.  A child who enters the conservatorship
  of the Department of Family and Protective Services before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the child entered the conservatorship of the department, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a suit filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services on
  or after the effective date of this Act.  A suit filed by the
  department before that date is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.