By: Raymond (Senate Sponsor - Nelson) H.B. No. 748
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 15, 2013;
April 17, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 9, 2013, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 9, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a waiver allowing the Department of Family and
Protective Services to use certain federal funds to test innovation
strategies in child welfare programs.
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. WAIVER TO USE FUNDS TO TEST INNOVATIONS TO
CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. (a) The department shall apply for and
actively pursue a waiver, as authorized by the Child and Family
Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Pub. L. No. 112-34), to
allow the department to use federal funds available under Title
IV-E, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq.), to
conduct demonstration projects to accomplish one or more of the
following goals:
(1) providing more permanency for children by reducing
time in foster care and promoting successful transitions to
adulthood for former foster youth;
(2) increasing positive outcomes for infants,
children, and families in their homes and communities and
increasing the safety and well-being of infants, children, and
youth; and
(3) preventing child abuse and neglect and the reentry
of children into foster care.
(b) This section expires December 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. 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, 2013.
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