86R2711 EAS-D
By: Minjarez H.B. No. 45
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a mentor program for foster youth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.1214 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.1214. FOSTER YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM. (a) The
department shall work with community-based organizations to
establish a mentor program to serve foster youth age 14 or older.
The mentor program must:
(1) match foster youth in a one-on-one mentor
relationship with an adult volunteer;
(2) focus on building healthy peer networks,
increasing self-confidence, and improving optimism about the
future; and
(3) assist foster youth in developing life skills in
conjunction with the experiential life-skills training program.
(b) The department shall:
(1) recruit volunteers, including former foster
youth, to serve as mentors; and
(2) require volunteer mentors to serve at least eight
hours each month for at least one year.
(c) A person who volunteers as a mentor is subject to state
and national criminal background checks in accordance with Sections
411.087 and 411.114, Government Code.
(d) The department shall provide annual evidence-based
intervention training for all volunteers.
(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.