86R5366 MCK-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 1907
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for certain individuals who provide care for
or services to children in the conservatorship of the Department of
Family and Protective Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.015, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) The department shall, in consultation with current
foster parents and adoptive parents, develop a training program for
foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship caregivers regarding
the best methods of communicating with children in the
conservatorship of the department about issues regarding health and
well-being, including:
(1) self-image;
(2) relationships;
(3) goal setting;
(4) planning and decision making; and
(5) protection from sexually transmitted infections,
unintended pregnancy, and exploitation.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.0151 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.0151. TRAINING MATERIALS FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM,
ATTORNEYS AD LITEM, AND JUDGES. The department shall, in
consultation with current guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem,
and the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for
Children, Youth and Families, develop training materials for
guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and judges who represent or
preside over cases involving children and youth in the
conservatorship of the department concerning the health and
well-being of those children and youth, including:
(1) policies regarding consent by a minor;
(2) general health information;
(3) information on healthy relationships; and
(4) information on advocating for or representing
pregnant and parenting children and youth.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.036 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.036. CASEWORKER TRAINING ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
The department shall create a training program for child protective
services caseworkers to provide instruction to the caseworkers on
age-appropriate, trauma-informed methods of communicating with
children in the managing conservatorship of the department
regarding reproductive health and healthy relationships. The
training program must include best practices for:
(1) providing information to a child about consent to
sexual activity, including the legal age for consent under state
law;
(2) preserving confidentiality; and
(3) providing services to a child who becomes pregnant
or who is a minor parent.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.