88(3) HB 50 - Introduced version - Bill Text
  88S30036 MLH-D
 
  By:  Gervin-Hawkins H.B.  No.  50
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a deadline for completing services under a family
  service plan.
               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
               SECTION  1.    Section 263.102, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as
  follows:
               (a)    The service plan must:
                           (1)    be specific;
                           (2)    be in writing in a language that the parents
  understand, or made otherwise available;
                           (3)    be prepared by the department in conference with
  the child's parents;
                           (4)    state appropriate deadlines;
                           (5)    specify the primary permanency goal and at least
  one alternative permanency goal;
                           (6)    state steps that are necessary to:
                                       (A)    return the child to the child's home if the
  placement is in foster care;
                                       (B)    enable the child to remain in the child's
  home with the assistance of a service plan if the placement is in
  the home under the department's supervision; or
                                       (C)    otherwise provide a permanent safe placement
  for the child;
                           (7)    state the actions and responsibilities that are
  necessary for the child's parents to take to achieve the plan goal
  during the period of the service plan and the assistance to be
  provided to the parents by the department or other agency toward
  meeting that goal;
                           (8)    state any specific skills or knowledge that the
  child's parents must acquire or learn, as well as any behavioral
  changes the parents must exhibit, to achieve the plan goal;
                           (9)    state the actions and responsibilities that are
  necessary for the child's parents to take to ensure that the child
  attends school and maintains or improves the child's academic
  compliance;
                           (10)    state the name of the person with the department
  whom the child's parents may contact for information relating to
  the child if other than the person preparing the plan; [and]
                           (11)    prescribe any other term or condition that the
  department determines to be necessary to the service plan's
  success; and
                           (12)    describe any services the department will provide
  under Subsection (e).
               (e-1)    Services provided by the department under Subsection
  (e) must be concluded not later than the 15th business day before
  the dismissal date for the suit as provided by Subchapter E.
               SECTION  2.    The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a service plan that is created on or after the effective date of
  this Act.  A service plan that is created before the effective date
  of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the service
  plan was created, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
               SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 263.102 (Family Code 263)