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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to trauma-informed care training for foster parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.015, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) Each foster parent who provides care for children and |
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youth in the conservatorship of the department shall complete a |
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training program regarding trauma-informed care and the effect of |
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trauma on children and youth in the conservatorship of the |
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department. The training must include information regarding: |
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(1) the symptoms of trauma and the impact trauma has on |
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a child or youth, including the effect of trauma on development, |
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emotions, memories, behavior, and decision-making; |
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(2) attachment and the effect a lack of attachment may |
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have on a child or youth; |
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(3) the role that trauma-informed care and services |
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can have in a child's or youth's ability to build connections, feel |
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safe, and regulate emotions to assist the child or youth with |
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building resiliency and overcoming the effects of trauma and |
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adverse childhood experiences; |
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(4) the importance of screening children and youth for |
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trauma and the risk of mislabeling and inappropriate treatment of |
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children and youth without proper screening, including the risks |
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and benefits associated with the use of psychotropic medication; |
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(5) the potential for re-traumatization of children |
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and youth in the conservatorship of the department; and |
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(6) the availability of: |
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(A) research-supported, trauma-informed, |
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non-pharmacological interventions; and |
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(B) trauma-informed advocacy to increase access |
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by a child or youth in the conservatorship of the department to: |
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(i) trauma-informed care; and |
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(ii) trauma-informed mental and behavioral |
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health services. |
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SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services |
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shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 264.015(f), |
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Family Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall |
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ensure that a foster parent required to complete the training under |
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Section 264.015(f), Family Code, as added by this Act, completes |
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the training not later than September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |