H.B. No. 2225
AN ACT
relating to creating a committee to review the process for finding
permanent placements for children in the conservatorship of the
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Department of Family and Protective
Services, in conjunction with the adoption review committee
described by Subsection (b) of this section, shall conduct an
extensive review of the foster care system to:
(1) identify obstacles that impede the department's
ability to find a permanent placement for foster children,
including placement by adoption; and
(2) develop ways to improve the foster care system by:
(A) reducing the time a child is in the
conservatorship of the department before being permanently placed;
(B) reducing the number of children in the
conservatorship of the department who are placed outside of their
home county; and
(C) enhancing the procedures for adopting foster
children.
(b) The adoption review committee is composed of the
following nine members:
(1) four members appointed by the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission as
follows:
(A) an employee of the Department of Family and
Protective Services;
(B) a representative from a licensed
child-placing agency that provides adoption services;
(C) a representative from the Council on
Adoptable Children of Texas; and
(D) an attorney with expertise in handling
adoptions; and
(2) five members appointed by the governor who have
expertise in or a demonstrated commitment to adoption issues.
(c) The adoption review committee shall meet at least
quarterly.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2010, the Department of
Family and Protective Services shall submit a written report of the
results of the review conducted under Subsection (a) of this
section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
the house of representatives, the House Committee on Human
Services, and the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
The report must include:
(1) a summary of the findings of the review conducted
under Subsection (a) of this section;
(2) a summary of the obstacles identified in the
review that impede the department's ability to find permanent
placements for foster children;
(3) recommendations of actions the department should
take to eliminate the obstacles described by Subdivision (2) of
this subsection; and
(4) any legislative recommendations that would
improve the foster care system.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2009, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission and the
governor shall appoint the members of the adoption review committee
and the adoption review committee shall begin performing its duties
as provided by this Act.
SECTION 3. The adoption review committee is abolished and
this Act expires September 1, 2011.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2225 was passed by the House on April
28, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2225 on May 25, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2225 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor