81R11294 MCK-D
By: Naishtat H.B. No. 4558
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the recruitment, employment, and retention of certain
Department of Family and Protective Services caseworkers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.0327 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.0327. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF CASEWORKERS.
The department shall improve its recruitment and retention efforts
by:
(1) offering a recruitment and retention bonus for
direct delivery caseworker positions experiencing the highest
turnover;
(2) standardizing the certification process for all
child protective services caseworkers regardless of category so
that each caseworker will be eligible for promotion not later than
the end of the 18th month after the date the caseworker begins
employment;
(3) expanding the department's educational stipend
program; and
(4) improving employee training.
SECTION 2. On and after the effective date of this Act, the
Department of Family and Protective Services shall hire all
entry-level caseworkers at the level of Protective Services
Specialist II. On the effective date of this Act, the department
shall promote all employees employed at the level of Protective
Services Specialist I to Protective Services Specialist II.
SECTION 3. 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.