By: West, Kolkhorst S.B. No. 355
(In the Senate - Filed January 15, 2019; February 7, 2019,
read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human
Services; March 14, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable
Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0;
March 14, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 355 By: Perry
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to developing a strategic plan to ensure that 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 C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.079 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.079. STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPLEMENT FEDERAL LAW
REGARDING FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) The department
shall develop a strategic plan for the implementation of foster
care prevention services that meet the requirements of Title VII,
Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123.
(b) The strategic plan required under this section must:
(1) identify a network of 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 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 services described by
Subdivision (1); and
(D) streamline the procedures for determining
eligibility for services described by Subdivision (1);
(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 Title VII, Div. E,
Pub. L. No. 115-123.
(c) In identifying 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 40.079, Human Resources 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.
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