S.B. No. 1154

	AN ACT
	relating to a task force for the development of a strategy to reduce
	child abuse and neglect and improve child welfare.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding
	Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER H-1.  TASK FORCE TO REDUCE CHILD ABUSE AND
	NEGLECT AND IMPROVE CHILD WELFARE
	Sec. 264.721.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. A task force is
	established under this subchapter to develop a strategy to reduce
	child abuse and neglect and improve child welfare.
	Sec. 264.722.  TASK FORCE. (a)  The task force consists of
	nine members appointed as follows:
	(1)  seven members appointed by the governor, two of
	whom must be appointed from a list of candidates submitted by the
	speaker of the house of representatives; and
	(2)  two members appointed by the lieutenant governor.
	(b)  Members of the task force must be individuals who:
	(1)  are actively involved in the prevention of child
	abuse and neglect and the improvement of child welfare; and
	(2)  represent a diversity of backgrounds.
	(c)  Appointments to the task force shall be made without
	regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or
	national origin of the appointee.
	(d)  A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
	service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
	travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and
	the General Appropriations Act.
	(e)  The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a
	majority vote of the membership of the task force.
	(f)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
	officer.
	(g)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
	task force.
	Sec. 264.723.  TASK FORCE DUTIES.  (a)  The task force shall
	identify:
	(1)  all existing programs in the state relating to
	reducing child abuse and neglect or improving child welfare; and
	(2)  the programs described by Subdivision (1) that
	receive state money.
	(b)  The task force shall establish a strategy for reducing
	child abuse and neglect and for improving child welfare in this
	state. In establishing that strategy, the task force shall:
	(1)  gather information concerning child safety, child
	abuse and neglect, and child welfare throughout the state;
	(2)  receive reports and testimony from individuals,
	state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other
	public and private organizations;
	(3)  create goals for state policy that would improve
	child safety, prevent child abuse and neglect, and improve child
	welfare;
	(4)  review and revise the strategic plan to accomplish
	those goals submitted by a previous task force; and
	(5)  submit the revised strategic plan.
	(c)  The revised strategic plan submitted under Subsection
	(b) may include proposals for specific statutory changes, the
	creation of new programs, and methods to foster cooperation among
	state agencies and between the state and local governments.
	Sec. 264.724.  SUPPORT AGENCY DUTIES.  The department, the
	Department of State Health Services, the Texas Department of
	Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Juvenile
	Probation Commission, The University of Texas System, and The Texas
	A&M University System shall:
	(1)  provide administrative support services to the
	task force;
	(2)  coordinate administrative responsibilities with
	the task force to avoid unnecessary duplication of duties;
	(3)  share equally the costs of the task force,
	including reimbursement for travel expenses, administrative
	expenses, and the costs of publishing the task force's strategic
	plan; and
	(4)  each designate a person to serve as the agency
	liaison with the task force.
	Sec. 264.725.  CONSULTATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES; PRIVATE
	FOUNDATIONS.  (a)  The task force shall consult with employees of
	the department, the Department of State Health Services, the Texas
	Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the
	Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, The University of Texas
	System, and The Texas A&M University System as necessary to
	accomplish the task force's responsibilities under this
	subchapter.
	(b)  The task force shall cooperate as necessary with any
	other state agency.
	(c)  The task force may consult with private foundations that
	have made a substantial commitment to the prevention of child abuse
	in this state to accomplish the task force's responsibilities under
	this chapter.
	Sec. 264.726.  FUNDING; ACCOUNT.  (a)  The task force shall
	review the funding strategies for the task force and develop
	proposals for expanding the sources of funds available to finance
	the activities of the task force.
	(b)  The task force may accept gifts and grants from
	individuals or private or public organizations and accept federal
	and local funds to support the task force.
	(c)  The child abuse reduction task force account is an
	account in the general revenue fund. Money in the account may be
	appropriated only to the task force for the purposes of this
	subchapter. The child abuse reduction task force account is exempt
	from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code. The
	account consists of:
	(1)  gifts and grants to the task force;
	(2)  money received by the task force from the federal,
	state, or local government; and
	(3)  notwithstanding Section 404.071, Government Code,
	all interest attributable to money held in the account.
	Sec. 264.727.  SUBMISSION OF PLAN. Not later than December
	1, 2012, the task force shall submit the strategic plan required by
	Section 264.723 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker
	of the house of representatives.
	Sec. 264.728.  EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
	this subchapter expires September 1, 2013.
	SECTION 2.  The governor and lieutenant governor shall
	appoint the members of the task force as required by Section
	264.722, Family Code, as added by this Act, not later than October
	1, 2011.
	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.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1154 passed the Senate on
	April 13, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1154 passed the House on
	May 20, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 137, Nays 12, one
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor