The bill, H.B. No. 4322, proposes amendments to the Human Resources Code regarding the training requirements for caregivers of children, including foster parents. It mandates that both the department and child-placing agencies provide competency-based, preservice training to potential caregivers before they are approved as foster or adoptive homes. The required training hours are reduced from 35 to 20 hours. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that require caregivers to complete 10 hours of annual competency-based training on relevant subjects affecting foster parenting and the needs of children in care prior to license renewal.

Furthermore, the bill allows foster parents to waive the daily reimbursement rate for foster care services, which exempts them from the annual training requirements, except for any necessary training determined by the department or child-placing agency to address the unique needs of the child placed with them, capped at five hours per year. The bill emphasizes the collaboration between the commissioner and executive commissioner to establish rules for implementing these training requirements. The proposed changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 42.0537 (Human Resources Code 42)