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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to required training for caregivers to children, including |
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foster parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 42.0537, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections |
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(b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows: |
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(a) The department and each single source continuum |
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contractor shall include a provision in each contract with a |
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child-placing agency with whom children in the managing |
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conservatorship of the department are placed that requires the |
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child-placing agency to provide competency-based, preservice |
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training to a potential caregiver before the child-placing agency |
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verifies or approves the caregiver as a foster or adoptive home. |
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Except as provided by Subsection (d), the amount of training |
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required by this subsection may not exceed 20 [35] hours. |
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(b) The department shall adopt policies to ensure that each |
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potential caregiver receives competency-based, preservice training |
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before the department verifies or approves the caregiver as a |
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foster or adoptive home. Except as provided by Subsection (d), the |
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amount of training required by this subsection may not exceed 20 |
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[35] hours. |
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(b-1) Prior to licensure renewal, each caregiver shall |
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successfully complete competency-based, annual training on |
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subjects affecting the daily living experiences of foster parenting |
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and the needs of children in care. The amount of annual training |
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required of each caregiver may not exceed 10 hours. The department, |
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single source continuum contractor, or child-placing agency |
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licensing the caregiver shall ensure that required annual training |
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subjects are relevant to the caregiver's license or the unique |
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needs of the children placed with the caregiver. The commissioner |
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and executive commissioner shall collaborate to adopt rules |
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necessary to implement this subsection. |
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(b-2) A foster parent may waive the daily reimbursement rate |
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for foster care services. If the foster parent elects to waive the |
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daily reimbursement rate, the foster parent shall be exempt from |
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the annual training requirements under Subsection (b-1) except for |
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any training the department, child-placing agency, or single source |
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continuum contractor determines is necessary to meet the unique |
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needs of the child placed with the foster parent. Such training may |
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not exceed five hours per year. The commissioner and executive |
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commissioner shall collaborate to adopt rules necessary to |
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implement this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |