Bill Text: TX HB2330 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to information and services for foster children who are pregnant or minor parents.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-01 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB2330 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB2330-Comm_Sub.html
  85R12418 MM-D
 
  By: Dukes, Minjarez H.B. No. 2330
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to information and services for foster children who are
  pregnant or minor parents.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.130 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.130.  PREGNANCY AND PARENTING INFORMATION AND
  SERVICES. (a) The department shall collect:
               (1)  information on the number of children in the
  managing conservatorship of the department who are minor parents;
               (2)  information on the number of children in the
  managing conservatorship of the department who are also the
  children of minor parents as described by Subdivision (1); and
               (3)  with respect to each child who is a minor parent
  and each child of a minor parent in the managing conservatorship of
  the department, statistics regarding each child's:
                     (A)  age;
                     (B)  ethnicity;
                     (C)  type of substitute care placement;
                     (D)  county of residence; and
                     (E)  length of time in substitute care.
         (b)  The department shall prepare an annual report on the
  information collected under Subsection (a) and make the report
  available on the department's Internet website. The report may not
  include any individually identifiable information regarding a
  minor parent or child who is the subject of information in the
  report.
         (c)  The department at developmentally appropriate stages
  shall provide to children in the managing conservatorship of the
  department who are pregnant or who are minor parents information on
  and support in providing safe environments for children, including
  information and support regarding:
               (1)  safe sleeping arrangements;
               (2)  suggestions for childproofing potentially
  dangerous settings in a home;
               (3)  methods to cope with crying infants;
               (4)  selection of appropriate substitute caregivers;
               (5)  a child's early brain development, including the
  importance of meeting an infant's developmental needs by providing
  positive experiences and avoiding adverse experiences;
               (6)  the importance of paternal involvement in a
  child's life; and
               (7)  the benefits of reading and talking to young
  children.
         (d)  The department shall provide parenting skills training
  and other services, including depression screening services, to
  children in the managing conservatorship of the department who are
  pregnant or minor parents.
         (e)  The department shall appropriately recruit, prepare,
  train, and support individuals, including foster parents,
  substitute caregivers, and mentors, who work directly with children
  in the managing conservatorship of the department who are pregnant
  or minor parents to ensure the individuals provide the specialized
  care and support needed by those children.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall
  collect the information, prepare the report, and provide the
  services necessary to implement Section 264.130, Family Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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