By: Howard, Wu (Senate Sponsor - Watson) H.B. No. 475
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2019;
May 10, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
Human Services; May 20, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable
Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0;
May 20, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 475 By: Perry
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information 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. The
department at developmentally appropriate stages shall ensure that
children in the managing conservatorship of the department who are
pregnant or who are minor parents receive 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) child development and methods to cope with
challenging behaviors;
(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 methods for coparenting;
(7) the benefits of reading, singing, and talking to
young children;
(8) the importance of prenatal and postpartum care for
both the mother and infant, including the impact of and signs for
perinatal mood disorders;
(9) infant nutrition and the importance of
breastfeeding; and
(10) healthy relationships, including the prevention
of intimate partner violence.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
* * * * *