By: Swanson H.B. No. 3555
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3555:
By: Minjarez C.S.H.B. No. 3555
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an innovation grant program for community faith-based
programs that collaborate with the Department of Family and
Protective Services to improve foster care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.2042 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.2042. GRANTS FOR FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS. (a) Using available funds or private
donations, the governor shall establish and administer an
innovation grant program to award grants to support faith-based
community programs that collaborate with the department and the
commission to improve foster care and the placement of children in
foster care.
(b) A faith-based community program is eligible for a grant
under this section if:
(1) the effectiveness of the program is supported by
empirical evidence; and
(2) the program has demonstrated the ability to build
connections between faith-based, secular, and government
stakeholders.
(c) The regional director for the department in the region
where a grant recipient program is located, or the regional
director's designee, shall serve as the liaison between the
department and the program for collaborative purposes. For a
program that operates in a larger region, the department may
designate a liaison in each county where the program is operating.
The department or the commission may not direct or manage the
operation of the program.
(d) The initial duration of a grant under this section is
two years. The governor may renew a grant awarded to a program
under this section if funds are available and the governor
determines that the program is successful.
(e) The governor may not award to a program grants under
this section totaling more than $300,000.
(f) The governor shall adopt rules to implement the grant
program created under this section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor shall adopt rules for the implementation
and administration of the innovation grant program established
under Section 264.2042, Family Code, as added by this Act, and begin
to award grants under the program.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.