88R2243 MM-F
By: Hull H.B. No. 474
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain requirements regarding court-appointed
volunteer advocate programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 264.601, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b) to read as follows:
(1-a) "Active volunteer advocate" means an individual
who:
(A) has been trained by a volunteer advocate
program in accordance with recognized standards for volunteer
advocate programs; and
(B) is currently serving as a volunteer advocate
on at least one child's case.
(1-b) "Inactive volunteer advocate" means an
individual who:
(A) has been trained by a volunteer advocate
program in accordance with recognized standards for volunteer
advocate programs; and
(B) is not currently serving as a volunteer
advocate.
SECTION 2. Section 264.603(a), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The commission shall contract with one statewide
organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under
Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization
described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code and that is composed of
individuals or groups of individuals who have expertise in the
dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience in operating
volunteer advocate programs to provide training, technical
assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of local
volunteer advocate programs. The contract shall:
(1) include measurable goals and objectives relating
to the number of:
(A) active volunteer advocates in the program;
[and]
(B) inactive volunteer advocates in the program;
and
(C) children receiving services from the
program; and
(2) follow practices designed to ensure compliance
with standards referenced in the contract.
SECTION 3. Section 264.604(a), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) A person is eligible for a contract under Section
264.602 only if the person is a public or private nonprofit entity
that operates a volunteer advocate program that:
(1) uses individuals appointed as volunteer advocates
or guardians ad litem by the court to provide for the needs of
abused or neglected children;
(2) has provided court-appointed advocacy services
for at least six months;
(3) provides court-appointed advocacy services for at
least 10 children each month; [and]
(4) has demonstrated that the program has local
judicial support;
(5) has adopted a grievance procedure to address
complaints regarding negligence or misconduct related to a
volunteer advocate's duties under Section 107.002; and
(6) maintains accurate records regarding active
volunteer advocates and inactive volunteer advocates under the
program.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.