S.B. No. 355
AN ACT
relating to developing a strategic plan regarding implementation of
prevention and early intervention services and community-based
care and conducting a study regarding the resources provided to
foster parents.
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 STATE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT
COMMUNITY-BASED CARE AND FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) The
department shall develop a strategic plan for the coordinated
implementation of:
(1) community-based care as defined by Section
264.152, Family Code; and
(2) 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 for the statewide implementation
of foster care prevention services, including implementation in
department regions that are transitioning to community-based care;
(3) identify resources necessary for the department to
implement community-based care and to coordinate that
implementation with the implementation of foster care prevention
services, including:
(A) enhanced training related to procurement,
contract monitoring and enforcement services, information
technology services, and financial and legal services;
(B) a financial methodology for funding the
implementation of community-based care and foster care prevention
services; and
(C) resources to address the placement of
children in settings eligible for federal financial participation
under the requirements of Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123;
(4) 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);
(D) streamline the procedures for determining
eligibility for services described by Subdivision (1);
(E) prescribe and terminate services described
by Subdivision (1); and
(F) reduce recidivism in foster care prevention
services;
(5) 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
(6) 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) This section does not supersede or limit the
department's duty to develop and maintain the plan under Section
264.153, Family Code.
(e) The department shall submit the plan developed under
this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives, and each member of the standing
committees of the senate and house of representatives having
primary jurisdiction over child welfare issues not later than
September 1, 2020.
(f) This section expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. (a) The Department of Family and Protective
Services shall conduct a study to evaluate whether the department
provides foster parents with adequate resources to ensure that
foster parents are able to comply with all of the regulations
relating to providing care for a child in the conservatorship of the
department.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the department shall
prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing
the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or
other action.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the Senate on
March 20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
May 23, 2019, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2019, House
granted request of the Senate; May 25, 2019, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 30,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 355 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 142,
Nays 2, two present not voting; May 23, 2019, House granted request
of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 25, 2019, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor