88R14638 BDP-F     By: Garcia H.B. No. 5044       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to communicating the foster children's bill of rights to a   child and a process for reporting violations to the Department of   Family and Protective Services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 263.008(c) and (g), Family Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (c)  The department shall provide a written copy of the   foster children's bill of rights to each child placed in foster care   in the child's primary language, if possible, and shall inform the   child of the rights described by the foster children's bill of   rights:                (1)  orally in the child's primary language, if   possible, and in simple, nontechnical terms that are   developmentally appropriate and can reasonably be expected to   result in successful communication with the child based on the   child's age and development; [or]                (2)  in writing in a manner that is developmentally   appropriate and utilizes language in a manner that can reasonably   be expected to result in successful communication with the child   based on the child's age and development; or                (3)  for a child who has a disability, including an   impairment of vision or hearing, through any means that can   reasonably be expected to result in successful communication with   the child.          (g)  The department shall develop and implement a policy for   receiving and handling reports that the rights of a child in foster   care are not being observed. The department shall inform a child in   foster care and, if appropriate, the child's parent, managing   conservator, or guardian of the method for filing a report with the   department under this subsection. Information provided to a child   under this subsection must be communicated orally and in writing in   a manner that is developmentally appropriate for each child and can   reasonably be expected to result in successful communication with   the child based on the child's age and development.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.