84R8175 MK-F
By: Naishtat H.B. No. 2140
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation by the Department of Family and Protective
Services of positions and organizations to facilitate the provision
of services to foster youth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Sections 40.075 and 40.076 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.075. YOUTH SPECIALISTS. (a) The department shall
designate an employee in each department region and one employee at
the state level to manage and coordinate regional outreach to
foster youth and assist the department in developing services,
policies, and procedures for foster youth.
(b) In addition to the duties described in Subsection (a),
each regional-level employee designated by the department under
Subsection (a) shall:
(1) assist foster youth in understanding the foster
children's bill of rights developed under Section 263.008, Family
Code, and ensure that the foster children's bill of rights is posted
in all facilities for foster youth licensed by the department;
(2) administer an annual survey of foster youth 10
years of age or older and younger than 23 years of age to collect
information related to foster placements and the services provided
in foster placements;
(3) coordinate and facilitate the operation of the
regional youth leadership councils established under Section
40.076; and
(4) create and coordinate leadership opportunities
for foster youth.
(c) The department shall include the results of the survey
administered under Subsection (b)(2) in the department's annual
report.
(d) In addition to the duties described in Subsection (a),
the state-level employee designated by the department under
Subsection (a) shall:
(1) oversee the activities of the regional-level
employees designated by the department under Subsection (a); and
(2) organize and facilitate the operation of the state
youth leadership council established under Section 40.076.
Sec. 40.076. YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCILS. (a) The department
shall establish a youth leadership council in each department
region of the state. Each regional youth leadership council shall:
(1) be composed of current and former foster youth;
and
(2) meet monthly to discuss department policies and
any other subject the members of the council consider to be
appropriate.
(b) The department shall establish a state youth leadership
council. The state youth leadership council shall:
(1) be composed of two members from each regional
youth leadership council in the state; and
(2) meet quarterly to:
(A) collaborate with the department to develop a
formal consumer engagement plan, including strategies for engaging
youth and young adults in foster care in the development of
department programs, policies, and practices;
(B) review all changes to department policies and
procedures that impact foster youth, before implementation of the
changes;
(C) compose and deliver a biennial report to the
legislature containing:
(i) a description of the activities of the
regional youth leadership councils;
(ii) a briefing on current issues facing
foster youth transitioning to independent living;
(iii) a summary of relevant data published
by the department relating to older foster youth; and
(iv) recommendations for improvements to
department policies and practices; and
(D) perform any other duties that the members of
the council believe are necessary or appropriate.
(c) The department must seek input from the state youth
leadership council before the department implements a change to any
policy or procedure that impacts children in foster care.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.