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.