By: Uresti S.B. No. 1154
(McClendon)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a task force for the development of a strategy to reduce
child abuse and neglect and improve child welfare.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-1. TASK FORCE TO REDUCE CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT AND IMPROVE CHILD WELFARE
Sec. 264.721. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. A task force is
established under this subchapter to develop a strategy to reduce
child abuse and neglect and improve child welfare.
Sec. 264.722. TASK FORCE. (a) The task force consists of
nine members appointed as follows:
(1) seven members appointed by the governor, two of
whom must be appointed from a list of candidates submitted by the
speaker of the house of representatives; and
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor.
(b) Members of the task force must be individuals who:
(1) are actively involved in the prevention of child
abuse and neglect and the improvement of child welfare; and
(2) represent a diversity of backgrounds.
(c) Appointments to the task force shall be made without
regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or
national origin of the appointee.
(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and
the General Appropriations Act.
(e) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a
majority vote of the membership of the task force.
(f) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
Sec. 264.723. TASK FORCE DUTIES. (a) The task force shall
identify:
(1) all existing programs in the state relating to
reducing child abuse and neglect or improving child welfare; and
(2) the programs described by Subdivision (1) that
receive state money.
(b) The task force shall establish a strategy for reducing
child abuse and neglect and for improving child welfare in this
state. In establishing that strategy, the task force shall:
(1) gather information concerning child safety, child
abuse and neglect, and child welfare throughout the state;
(2) receive reports and testimony from individuals,
state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other
public and private organizations;
(3) create goals for state policy that would improve
child safety, prevent child abuse and neglect, and improve child
welfare;
(4) review and revise the strategic plan to accomplish
those goals submitted by a previous task force; and
(5) submit the revised strategic plan.
(c) The revised strategic plan submitted under Subsection
(b) may include proposals for specific statutory changes, the
creation of new programs, and methods to foster cooperation among
state agencies and between the state and local governments.
Sec. 264.724. SUPPORT AGENCY DUTIES. The department, the
Department of State Health Services, the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission, The University of Texas System, and The Texas
A&M University System shall:
(1) provide administrative support services to the
task force;
(2) coordinate administrative responsibilities with
the task force to avoid unnecessary duplication of duties;
(3) share equally the costs of the task force,
including reimbursement for travel expenses, administrative
expenses, and the costs of publishing the task force's strategic
plan; and
(4) each designate a person to serve as the agency
liaison with the task force.
Sec. 264.725. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES; PRIVATE
FOUNDATIONS. (a) The task force shall consult with employees of
the department, the Department of State Health Services, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the
Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, The University of Texas
System, and The Texas A&M University System as necessary to
accomplish the task force's responsibilities under this
subchapter.
(b) The task force shall cooperate as necessary with any
other state agency.
(c) The task force may consult with private foundations that
have made a substantial commitment to the prevention of child abuse
in this state to accomplish the task force's responsibilities under
this chapter.
Sec. 264.726. FUNDING; ACCOUNT. (a) The task force shall
review the funding strategies for the task force and develop
proposals for expanding the sources of funds available to finance
the activities of the task force.
(b) The task force may accept gifts and grants from
individuals or private or public organizations and accept federal
and local funds to support the task force.
(c) The child abuse reduction task force account is an
account in the general revenue fund. Money in the account may be
appropriated only to the task force for the purposes of this
subchapter. The child abuse reduction task force account is exempt
from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code. The
account consists of:
(1) gifts and grants to the task force;
(2) money received by the task force from the federal,
state, or local government; and
(3) notwithstanding Section 404.071, Government Code,
all interest attributable to money held in the account.
Sec. 264.727. SUBMISSION OF PLAN. Not later than December
1, 2012, the task force shall submit the strategic plan required by
Section 264.723 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker
of the house of representatives.
Sec. 264.728. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this subchapter expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. The governor and lieutenant governor shall
appoint the members of the task force as required by Section
264.722, Family Code, as added by this Act, not later than October
1, 2011.
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, 2011.