Bill Text: TX HB1542 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 26-2)
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1542 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB1542-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 26-2)
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1542 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB1542-Introduced.html
85R5276 MK-D | ||
By: Price | H.B. No. 1542 |
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relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for | ||
the placement of children in foster care. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 263.001(a), Family Code, is amended by | ||
amending Subdivision (3-a) and adding Subdivision (3-b) to read as | ||
follows: | ||
(3-a) "Least restrictive environment" means a | ||
placement for a child that, in comparison to all other available | ||
placements: | ||
(A) is the closest in geographic proximity to the | ||
child's home; and | ||
(B) is the most able to meet the identified needs | ||
of the child. | ||
(3-b) "Physician assistant" has the meaning assigned | ||
by Section 157.051, Occupations Code. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 263.001, Family Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: | ||
(c) With respect to a child designated by the department as | ||
a child who needs basic or moderate services, the least restrictive | ||
environment requires placement in a foster home or a general | ||
residential operation operating as a cottage home. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 264.001, Family Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows: | ||
(3-a) "Least restrictive environment" means a | ||
placement for a child that, in comparison to all other available | ||
placements: | ||
(A) is the closest in geographic proximity to the | ||
child's home; and | ||
(B) is the most able to meet the identified needs | ||
of the child. | ||
SECTION 4. Section 264.107, Family Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: | ||
(c) The department shall place a child designated by the | ||
department as a child who needs basic or moderate services in the | ||
least restrictive environment necessary to meet the child's needs. | ||
Placement of a child in the least restrictive environment requires | ||
placement in a foster home or a general residential operation | ||
operating as a cottage home. | ||
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |