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 to improve outcomes for children and families while developing a sustainable service delivery model. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will collaborate with a lead entity, which must be a nonprofit or local government, to design and execute the program.

The bill details the qualifications and selection process for the lead entity, establishes a community alliance for stakeholder engagement, and emphasizes a funding model that addresses the unique challenges of rural service delivery. It allows for waivers from certain department policies to better meet local needs and includes provisions for conflict resolution, change orders, and confidentiality. The lead entity is responsible for overseeing the program's compliance and effectiveness, with an independent evaluator assessing various program aspects. Reports on the program's implementation will be submitted to the legislature, with a review scheduled by September 1, 2031, to evaluate its future. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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