By: Watson S.B. No. 1291
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 foster care
alumni, Preparation for Adult Living staff, institutions of higher
learning, and current foster youth, foster parents and adoptive
parents, adopt or develop a training program for any foster
parents, adoptive parents, or kinship caregivers regarding the most
effective methods of communicating with children who are or have
been in the conservatorship of the department about issues
regarding health and well-being, including:
(1) self-image;
(2) healthy 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, COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES AND JUDGES.
The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for
Children, Youth and Families shall, in consultation with
stakeholders including, but not limited to, current guardians ad
litem, attorneys ad litem, and court appointed special advocates,
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 for health care
services, including reproductive health care, family planning, and
contraceptive care;
(2) general health and wellness;
(3) healthy relationships; and
(4) 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 HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.
The department, in collaboration with an institute for higher
learning, shall create or adopt a required training program for
child protective services caseworkers to provide instruction to the
caseworkers on developmentally-appropriate, trauma-informed
methods of communicating with children in the managing
conservatorship of the department regarding reproductive health
and healthy relationships. The training must be informed by
evidence-based or model curriculum and include content regarding:
(1) minor consent to sexual activity, including the
legal age for consent under state law;
(2) minor consent to health care services including
family planning or contraceptive services;
(3) preserving confidentiality; and
(4) providing services to a child who becomes pregnant
or who is a minor parent.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.