S.B. No. 513 establishes a rural community-based care pilot program in Texas, aimed at enhancing child welfare services in designated rural areas. The bill introduces a new Subchapter B-2 to Chapter 264 of the Family Code, defining essential terms such as "catchment area," "community-based care," and "eligible rural region." The program seeks to implement a community-based model of child welfare services, improve outcomes for children and families, and create a sustainable service delivery model in rural regions. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will collaborate with a lead entity, which must be a nonprofit or local government, to develop and execute the program.

The legislation outlines the qualifications for the lead entity, establishes a community alliance for stakeholder involvement, and creates a funding model tailored to the unique challenges of rural service delivery. It includes provisions for conflict resolution, change orders, confidentiality, and evaluation processes, mandating the commissioner to adopt a waiver application procedure. An independent evaluator will assess the program's effectiveness and community engagement, with findings reported to the legislature. The department is required to submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2027, and conduct a program review by September 1, 2031, when the pilot program is set to expire. The bill is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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