89R14611 DNC-D     By: Miles S.B. No. 2286       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of an oversight advisory council on foster   care placement.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 40.029 to read as follows:          Sec. 40.029.  OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FOSTER CARE   PLACEMENT. (a)  In this section, "oversight advisory council"   means the oversight advisory council on foster care placement   established under this section.          (b)  The oversight advisory council on foster care placement   is established to advise the department on foster care placements   and review complaints regarding the foster care placement of   children in the conservatorship of the department.          (c)  The oversight advisory council is composed of seven   members as follows:                (1)  five members appointed by the governor, including:                      (A)  one member who represents a religious   organization;                      (B)  one member who represents a law enforcement   agency;                      (C)  one member who is a foster care parent; and                      (D)  two members who represent the foster care   community;                (2)  one member who represents the foster care   community, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and                (3)  one member who represents the foster care   community, appointed by the speaker of the house of   representatives.          (d)  Members of the oversight advisory council serve   staggered four-year terms, with the terms of one-half of the   members, or as near to one-half as possible, expiring on February 1   of each odd-numbered year.           (e)  The members of the oversight advisory council serve   without compensation and may not be reimbursed for travel expenses   incurred while conducting the business of the council.          (f)  The members of the oversight advisory council shall   select from among the members a presiding officer of the council.          (g)  The oversight advisory council shall meet at least twice   each year at the call of the presiding officer.          (h)  The oversight advisory council shall review the   department's foster care placement system and complaints submitted   to the department or the Health and Human Services Commission   regarding the foster care placement of children in the   conservatorship of the department.          (i)  The department and the Health and Human Services   Commission shall provide to the oversight advisory council   information, including relevant testimony, on the foster care   placement system and on complaints filed with the department or   commission regarding the foster care placement of children in the   conservatorship of the department.          (j)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,   the oversight advisory council shall prepare and submit to the   department, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the   standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over foster care:                (1)  a written report summarizing the council's   determinations about the foster care placement system and the   complaints reviewed regarding foster care placement; and                (2)  any recommendations for legislation or other   action.          (k)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the   oversight advisory council.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the governor,   lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives   shall appoint the initial members of the oversight advisory council   on foster care placement as required by Section 40.029, Human   Resources Code, as added by this Act, to staggered terms with the   terms of three members expiring February 1, 2027, and the terms of   four members expiring February 1, 2029.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.