Reynolds Foster Care Bill’s Council Can’t Change A Placement

The text as introduced · 563 words

89R14611 DNC-D

By: Reynolds
H.B. No. 5581

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of an oversight advisory council on foster

care placement.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,

is amended by adding Section 40.029 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.029. OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FOSTER CARE

PLACEMENT. (a) In this section, "oversight advisory council"

means the oversight advisory council on foster care placement

established under this section.

(b) The oversight advisory council on foster care placement

is established to advise the department on foster care placements

and review complaints regarding the foster care placement of

children in the conservatorship of the department.

(c) The oversight advisory council is composed of seven

members as follows:

(1) five members appointed by the governor, including:

(A) one member who represents a religious

organization;

(B) one member who represents a law enforcement

agency;

(C) one member who is a foster care parent; and

(D) two members who represent the foster care

community;

(2) one member who represents the foster care

community, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) one member who represents the foster care

community, appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives.

(d) Members of the oversight advisory council serve

staggered four-year terms, with the terms of one-half of the

members, or as near to one-half as possible, expiring on February 1

of each odd-numbered year.

(e) The members of the oversight advisory council serve

without compensation and may not be reimbursed for travel expenses

incurred while conducting the business of the council.

(f) The members of the oversight advisory council shall

select from among the members a presiding officer of the council.

(g) The oversight advisory council shall meet at least twice

each year at the call of the presiding officer.

(h) The oversight advisory council shall review the

department's foster care placement system and complaints submitted

to the department or the Health and Human Services Commission

regarding the foster care placement of children in the

conservatorship of the department.

(i) The department and the Health and Human Services

Commission shall provide to the oversight advisory council

information, including relevant testimony, on the foster care

placement system and on complaints filed with the department or

commission regarding the foster care placement of children in the

conservatorship of the department.

(j) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,

the oversight advisory council shall prepare and submit to the

department, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the

standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over foster care:

(1) a written report summarizing the council's

determinations about the foster care placement system and the

complaints reviewed regarding foster care placement; and

(2) any recommendations for legislation or other

action.

(k) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the

oversight advisory council.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the governor,

lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives

shall appoint the initial members of the oversight advisory council

on foster care placement as required by Section 40.029, Human

Resources Code, as added by this Act, to staggered terms with the

terms of three members expiring February 1, 2027, and the terms of

four members expiring February 1, 2029.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.