By: Nelson, Uresti	S.B. No. 434

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment of a task force to address the
	relationship between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter W to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER W. TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
	DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
	Sec. 531.951.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1)  "Department" means the Department of Family and
	Protective Services.
	(2)  "Task force" means the Task Force to Address the
	Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and Neglect.
	Sec. 531.952.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE; COMPOSITION.
	(a)  The task force is established to examine the relationship
	between family violence and child abuse and neglect, develop policy
	recommendations, if needed, to address issues and effects resulting
	from that relationship, and develop comprehensive statewide best
	practices guidelines for both child protective services and family
	violence shelter centers.
	(b)  The task force is composed of:
	(1)  one member from the commission's Family Violence
	Program, appointed by the executive commissioner; and
	(2)  at least 17 members appointed by the presiding
	officer of the task force as follows:
	(A)  one member from the department;
	(B)  one member from a statewide family violence
	advocacy organization;
	(C)  one member from a statewide sexual assault
	advocacy organization;
	(D)  one member from a statewide advocacy
	organization that serves abused and neglected children in the
	foster care system;
	(E)  one member from a statewide child abuse
	advocacy organization;
	(F)  one member from a statewide organization with
	expertise in the establishment and operation of a children's
	advocacy center program;
	(G)  one member who is a mental health
	professional with experience working with clients affected by child
	abuse and domestic violence;
	(H)  one member who is a judge with experience
	working with cases involving child protective services;
	(I)  one member from The University of Texas
	School of Law domestic violence clinic;
	(J)  one member from The University of Texas
	School of Law children's rights clinic;
	(K)  one member from each of four different family
	violence centers as defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources
	Code, reflecting the geographic diversity of the state;
	(L)  one member from a legal assistance
	organization involved with child protection and family violence
	issues;
	(M)  one member from the law enforcement
	community;
	(N)  one member who is a licensed physician who
	specializes in child abuse pediatrics; and
	(O)  any other member that the presiding officer
	determines to be appropriate.
	Sec. 531.953.  VACANCY.  A vacancy on the task force shall be
	filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
	Sec. 531.954.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The member representing
	the commission's Family Violence Program serves as the presiding
	officer of the task force.
	Sec. 531.955.  MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the
	call of the presiding officer.
	Sec. 531.956.  COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.  Members of the
	task force serve without compensation or reimbursement for
	expenses.
	Sec. 531.957.  DUTIES. (a)  The task force shall:
	(1)  receive reports and testimony from individuals,
	state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other
	public and private organizations, including:
	(A)  adult survivors of family violence that have
	been impacted by child protective services investigations; and
	(B)  young adults who as children were impacted by
	both family violence and child protective services intervention;
	and
	(2)  develop policy recommendations for addressing the
	relationship between family violence and child abuse and neglect
	and develop comprehensive statewide best practices guidelines for
	both child protective services and family violence shelter centers.
	(b)  In developing policy recommendations and best practices
	guidelines under Subsection (a)(2), the task force shall:
	(1)  examine the findings and recommendations of the
	National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Family
	Violence Department's report "Effective Intervention in Domestic
	Violence & Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and
	Practice"; and
	(2)  examine the key concepts regarding child safety
	plans and decision making found in the 2009 edition of the American
	Bar Association's "Child Safety: A Guide for Judges and
	Attorneys."
	(c)  The task force shall prepare a report that includes:
	(1)  a description of the activities of the task force;
	(2)  the findings and recommendations of the task
	force, including the proposed policy recommendations and
	guidelines required by Subsection (a)(2); and
	(3)  any legislation or other matter that the task
	force considers appropriate.
	(d)  Not later than September 1, 2012, the task force shall
	submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
	house of representatives, and the appropriate committees of the
	senate and the house of representatives the report required by
	Subsection (c).
	Sec. 531.958.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission shall
	provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical support
	for task force activities.
	Sec. 531.959.  RULEMAKING ASSISTANCE. The department shall
	seek the assistance of the task force if the department proposes to
	adopt or amend a rule as the result of the work done by the task
	force.
	Sec. 531.960.  APPLICABILITY OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE LAW.
	Chapter 2110 does not apply to the task force.
	Sec. 531.961.  ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE; EXPIRATION OF
	SUBCHAPTER.  The task force is abolished and this subchapter
	expires September 1, 2013.
	SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
	of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of
	the Task Force to Address the Relationship Between Domestic
	Violence and Child Abuse and Neglect created by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2011.