| 4 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 5 | 7 | | relating to the contracting authority of the Health and Human |
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| 6 | 8 | | Services Commission for the volunteer advocate for children |
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| 7 | 9 | | program. |
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| 8 | 10 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 9 | 11 | | SECTION 1. Section 264.603(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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| 10 | 12 | | read as follows: |
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| 11 | 13 | | (a) The commission shall contract with one statewide |
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| 12 | 14 | | organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under |
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| 13 | 15 | | Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization |
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| 14 | 16 | | described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code [and designated as a |
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| 15 | 17 | | supporting organization under Section 509(a)(3) of that code,] and |
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| 16 | 18 | | that is composed of individuals or groups of individuals who have |
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| 17 | 19 | | expertise in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience |
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| 18 | 20 | | in operating volunteer advocate programs to provide training, |
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| 19 | 21 | | technical assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of |
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| 20 | 22 | | local volunteer advocate programs. The contract shall: |
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| 21 | 23 | | (1) include measurable goals and objectives relating |
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| 22 | 24 | | to the number of: |
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| 23 | 25 | | (A) volunteer advocates in the program; and |
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| 24 | 26 | | (B) children receiving services from the |
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| 25 | 27 | | program; and |
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| 26 | 28 | | (2) follow practices designed to ensure compliance |
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| 27 | 29 | | with standards referenced in the contract. |
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| 28 | 30 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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| 29 | 31 | | a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as |
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| 30 | 32 | | provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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| 31 | 33 | | Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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| 32 | 34 | | Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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| 33 | | - | ______________________________ ______________________________ |
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| 34 | | - | President of the Senate Speaker of the House |
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| 35 | | - | I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1156 passed the Senate on |
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| 36 | | - | April 9, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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| 37 | | - | ______________________________ |
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| 38 | | - | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 39 | | - | I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1156 passed the House on |
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| 40 | | - | May 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 5, two present |
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| 41 | | - | not voting. |
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| 42 | | - | ______________________________ |
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| 43 | | - | Chief Clerk of the House |
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| 44 | | - | Approved: |
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| 45 | | - | ______________________________ |
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| 46 | | - | Date |
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| 47 | | - | ______________________________ |
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| 48 | | - | Governor |
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