86R2946 MM-D
By: West S.B. No. 355
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to developing a strategic plan to ensure the provision of
prevention and early intervention services complies with federal
law.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 265, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 265.0051 to read as follows:
Sec. 265.0051. STRATEGIC PLAN REGARDING FEDERAL FAMILY
FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT. (a) The department shall develop a
strategic plan to ensure that the provision of prevention and early
intervention services meets the requirements of the federal Family
First Prevention Services Act (Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L.
No. 115-123).
(b) The strategic plan required under this section must:
(1) identify for federal approval a network of
prevention and early intervention services providers to provide
mental health, substance use, and in-home parenting support
services for:
(A) children at risk of entering foster care;
(B) the parents and caregivers of children
identified under Paragraph (A); and
(C) pregnant or parenting youth in foster care;
(2) identify methods to:
(A) maximize resources from the federal
government under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act
(Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123);
(B) apply for other available federal and private
funds;
(C) streamline and reduce duplication of effort
by each state agency involved in providing prevention and early
intervention services; and
(D) streamline the procedures for determining
eligibility for prevention and early intervention services;
(3) include a method to:
(A) notify the Senate Health and Human Services
Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Committee on
Human Services, the House Committee on Public Health, and the House
Appropriations Committee of federal and private funding
opportunities; and
(B) respond to the opportunities described by
Paragraph (A); and
(4) identify opportunities to coordinate with
independent researchers to assist community programs in evaluating
and developing trauma-informed services and promising, supported,
or well-supported services and strategies under the federal Family
First Prevention Services Act (Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L.
No. 115-123).
(c) In developing the network of providers described by
Subsection (b)(1), the department shall consult with the Health and
Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services,
and community stakeholders.
(d) In developing the procedure described by Subsection
(b)(2), the department shall consult with the Health and Human
Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services.
(e) This section expires March 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2020, the Department
of Family and Protective Services shall make the plan required by
Section 265.0051, Family Code, as added by this Act, available to
the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Finance
Committee, the House Committee on Human Services, the House
Committee on Public Health, and the House Appropriations Committee.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.