The bill amends the Family Code and Human Resources Code to enhance the assessment processes for children entering the conservatorship of the department and those under the jurisdiction of juvenile probation departments. Specifically, it mandates that a comprehensive assessment for children in conservatorship must now include a screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation, utilizing a validated screening tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit. Additionally, juvenile probation departments are required to incorporate a similar screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation in their risk and needs assessments for children.

These amendments aim to improve the identification and support of at-risk children by ensuring that screenings for commercial sexual exploitation are systematically integrated into existing assessment protocols. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 266.012, Human Resources Code 221.003 (Human Resources Code 221, Family Code 266)