| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to procedures for selecting a placement for a child 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 264.107, Family Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subsection (a) and amending Subsection (c) to read as |
|
|
follows: |
|
|
(a) Before placing a child in contract residential care, the |
|
|
department shall attempt to place the child with a relative or other |
|
|
designated caregiver as required by Section 262.114(d). |
|
|
(c) In selecting a contract residential placement for a |
|
|
child, the department shall consider whether the placement is in |
|
|
the child's best interest. In determining whether a placement is in |
|
|
a child's best interest, the department shall consider whether the |
|
|
placement: |
|
|
(1) is the least restrictive setting for the child; |
|
|
(2) is the closest in geographic proximity to the |
|
|
child's home; |
|
|
(3) is the most able to meet the identified needs of |
|
|
the child; [and] |
|
|
(4) satisfies any expressed interests of the child |
|
|
relating to placement, when developmentally appropriate; and |
|
|
(5) is able to meet the long-term needs of the child, |
|
|
including placement stability. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |