85R12418 MM-D
By: Dukes, Minjarez H.B. No. 2330
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information and services for foster children who are
pregnant or minor parents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.130 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.130. PREGNANCY AND PARENTING INFORMATION AND
SERVICES. (a) The department shall collect:
(1) information on the number of children in the
managing conservatorship of the department who are minor parents;
(2) information on the number of children in the
managing conservatorship of the department who are also the
children of minor parents as described by Subdivision (1); and
(3) with respect to each child who is a minor parent
and each child of a minor parent in the managing conservatorship of
the department, statistics regarding each child's:
(A) age;
(B) ethnicity;
(C) type of substitute care placement;
(D) county of residence; and
(E) length of time in substitute care.
(b) The department shall prepare an annual report on the
information collected under Subsection (a) and make the report
available on the department's Internet website. The report may not
include any individually identifiable information regarding a
minor parent or child who is the subject of information in the
report.
(c) The department at developmentally appropriate stages
shall provide to children in the managing conservatorship of the
department who are pregnant or who are minor parents information on
and support in providing safe environments for children, including
information and support regarding:
(1) safe sleeping arrangements;
(2) suggestions for childproofing potentially
dangerous settings in a home;
(3) methods to cope with crying infants;
(4) selection of appropriate substitute caregivers;
(5) a child's early brain development, including the
importance of meeting an infant's developmental needs by providing
positive experiences and avoiding adverse experiences;
(6) the importance of paternal involvement in a
child's life; and
(7) the benefits of reading and talking to young
children.
(d) The department shall provide parenting skills training
and other services, including depression screening services, to
children in the managing conservatorship of the department who are
pregnant or minor parents.
(e) The department shall appropriately recruit, prepare,
train, and support individuals, including foster parents,
substitute caregivers, and mentors, who work directly with children
in the managing conservatorship of the department who are pregnant
or minor parents to ensure the individuals provide the specialized
care and support needed by those children.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall
collect the information, prepare the report, and provide the
services necessary to implement Section 264.130, Family Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.