By: West S.B. No. 681
(J. Davis of Harris)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to study the
assessments of children in the child welfare system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.074 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.074. CHILD WELFARE ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE. (a) The
child welfare assessment task force is established to:
(1) study the assessments used by the department to
determine the appropriate placement, treatment, and service needs
for a child;
(2) develop a list of tools for providers to use when
conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare
system; and
(3) develop guidelines regarding the contents of
assessment reports.
(b) The task force consists of the following members
appointed by the executive commissioner:
(1) one member from the National Association of Social
Workers, Texas Chapter;
(2) one member from the Texas Foster Family
Association;
(3) one member from the Texas Psychological
Association;
(4) one member who is a member of the department's
public-private partnership regarding foster care redesign;
(5) one member who receives or has received mental
health services as a foster child;
(6) one member who is an advocate for children's
interests in the child welfare system;
(7) one member who is a judge with experience working
with cases involving child protective services;
(8) one member who is a parent with experience in the
child welfare system;
(9) three members who are clinicians with experience
in, and knowledge of, comprehensive assessments and training in
trauma-informed assessment and care;
(10) one member from the department; and
(11) one member from the commission.
(c) Each member appointed to the task force must have
experience and expertise relating to children's behavioral health
and the study and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
(d) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a vote
of the membership of the task force.
(e) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2012, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the commissioner a report containing:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
and
(2) the findings and recommendations of the task
force, including:
(A) a list of tools for providers to use when
conducting behavioral assessments of children in the child welfare
system; and
(B) guidelines regarding the contents of
assessment reports.
(g) Not later than September 1, 2013, the department shall
adopt policies that incorporate the findings and recommendations of
the task force described by Subsection (f), to the extent that such
recommendations:
(1) are generally accepted standards of practice or
care for a physician, psychologist, or other professional who would
conduct the assessment; and
(2) can be implemented within existing fiscal
resources appropriated to the department.
(h) This section expires September 1, 2014.
SECTION 2. The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall make the appointments to the child
welfare assessment task force created by this Act not later than
January 1, 2012.
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.