By: West, et al. S.B. No. 1130
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force on father engagement
in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 265, Family Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. TASK FORCE ON FATHER ENGAGEMENT
Sec. 265.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task
force" means the task force on father engagement established under
Section 265.202.
Sec. 265.202. ESTABLISHMENT. The task force on father
engagement is established to:
(1) evaluate services and supports available to
fathers in this state;
(2) study the impact of father engagement on children,
families, and communities in this state; and
(3) develop a statewide plan for expanding services
and supports available to fathers and other strategies to
strengthen father engagement in this state.
Sec. 265.203. COMPOSITION. (a) The governor shall
determine the number of members of the task force.
(b) The task force is composed of:
(1) members appointed by the governor, which may
include:
(A) policy experts in child abuse and neglect
prevention, community advocacy, or related fields;
(B) directors of relevant state agencies, or the
directors' designees, including the department, the Department of
State Health Services, the Health and Human Services Commission,
the office of the attorney general, and the Texas Workforce
Commission;
(C) members of the judiciary or their designees;
(D) representatives of local government or their
designees;
(E) representatives of service providers to the
department;
(F) one representative who is an expert working
with and studying fathers and families;
(G) one representative from a public or private
institution of higher education with experience in father
engagement;
(H) one representative of a statewide advocacy
organization for issues related to family violence;
(I) one representative of a faith-based
organization;
(J) one representative of a nonprofit
organization involved in promoting father engagement; and
(K) any other members that the governor considers
appropriate;
(2) one member of the house of representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house, or the member's designee; and
(3) one member of the senate, appointed by the
lieutenant governor, or the member's designee.
Sec. 265.204. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
designate a member of the task force to serve as the presiding
officer.
Sec. 265.205. VACANCY. A vacancy on the task force shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 265.206. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the
call of the presiding officer.
Sec. 265.207. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) receive reports and testimony from individuals,
state and local governmental agencies, community-based
organizations, faith-based organizations, policy experts, public
and private institutions of higher education, and other public and
private entities regarding father engagement and evidence-based
father education programs;
(2) study the social and economic impact of father
engagement on children, including in regard to health care,
education, child support, child welfare, and the juvenile justice
system; and
(3) identify and develop strategies to address
barriers to father engagement and to otherwise strengthen father
engagement in this state.
Sec. 265.208. REPORT. (a) The task force shall prepare a
report that includes:
(1) a description of the task force's activities;
(2) the task force's findings; and
(3) recommendations for proposed legislation and a
statewide plan to expand services and supports to fathers in this
state.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the task force shall
provide a copy of the report to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) each standing committee of the senate and the
house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over the
department.
Sec. 265.209. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Members of the
task force serve without compensation and may not be reimbursed for
travel or other expenses incurred while conducting the business of
the task force.
Sec. 265.210. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The department shall
provide administrative support to the task force, including
reasonably necessary administrative and technical support.
Sec. 265.211. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
Sec. 265.212. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this subchapter expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the lieutenant governor shall appoint the
members of the task force on father engagement as required by
Subchapter E, Chapter 265, Family Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.