By: Uresti S.B. No. 769
(McClendon)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide
specialized training to foster parents of certain children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.124 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.124. FOSTER PARENT PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The
department shall establish a pilot program to provide specialized
training to foster parents of children who have been traumatized or
have serious mental health needs if the department or another state
agency is able to provide the training using existing resources or a
local governmental entity or charitable organization is able to
provide the training at no cost to the state.
(b) The department shall:
(1) establish the pilot program in a county with a
population of at least 1.5 million that is within 200 miles of an
international border;
(2) coordinate the specialized training as part of
community-based services and support provided under a Wraparound
individualized planning process for foster children as prescribed
by the Texas Integrated Funding Initiative Consortium; and
(3) evaluate the pilot program not later than the
second anniversary of the date the program is established.
(c) The department shall prepare a report containing the
evaluation required under Subsection (b)(3) and the department's
recommendations on the feasibility and continuation of the pilot
program. The department shall submit electronically a copy of the
report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives not later than December 1, 2016.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. Not later than May 1, 2014, the Department of
Family and Protective Services shall establish the pilot program
required under Section 264.124, Family Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.