H.B. No. 4129         AN ACT   relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a   single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and   Protective Services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 264.155(a), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  A contract with a single source continuum contractor to   provide community-based care services in a catchment area must   include provisions that:                (1)  establish a timeline for the implementation of   community-based care in the catchment area, including a timeline   for implementing:                      (A)  case management services for children,   families, and relative and kinship caregivers receiving services in   the catchment area; and                      (B)  family reunification support services to be   provided after a child receiving services from the contractor is   returned to the child's family;                (2)  establish conditions for the single source   continuum contractor's access to relevant department data and   require the participation of the contractor in the data access and   standards governance council created under Section 264.159;                (3)  require the single source continuum contractor to   create a single process for the training and use of alternative   caregivers for all child-placing agencies in the catchment area to   facilitate reciprocity of licenses for alternative caregivers   between agencies, including respite and overnight care providers,   as those terms are defined by department rule;                (4)  require the single source continuum contractor to   maintain a diverse network of service providers that offer a range   of foster capacity options and that can accommodate children from   diverse cultural backgrounds;                (5)  allow the department to conduct a performance   review of the contractor beginning 18 months after the contractor   has begun providing case management and family reunification   support services to all children and families in the catchment area   and determine if the contractor has achieved any performance   outcomes specified in the contract;                (6)  following the review under Subdivision (5), allow   the department to:                      (A)  impose financial penalties on the contractor   for failing to meet any specified performance outcomes; or                      (B)  award financial incentives to the contractor   for exceeding any specified performance outcomes;                (7)  require the contractor to give preference for   employment to employees of the department:                      (A)  whose position at the department is impacted   by the implementation of community-based care; and                      (B)  who are considered by the department to be   employees in good standing;                (8)  require the contractor to provide preliminary and   ongoing community engagement plans to ensure communication and   collaboration with local stakeholders in the catchment area,   including any of the following:                      (A)  community faith-based entities;                      (B)  the judiciary;                      (C)  court-appointed special advocates;                      (D)  child advocacy centers;                      (E)  service providers;                      (F)  foster families;                      (G)  biological parents;                      (H)  foster youth and former foster youth;                      (I)  relative or kinship caregivers;                      (J)  child welfare boards, if applicable;                      (K)  attorneys ad litem;                      (L)  attorneys that represent parents involved in   suits filed by the department; and                      (M)  any other stakeholders, as determined by the   contractor; [and]                (9)  require that the contractor comply with any   applicable court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction   in the case of a child for whom the contractor has assumed case   management responsibilities or an order imposing a requirement on   the department that relates to functions assumed by the contractor;   and                (10)  require the department to implement formal   measures to ensure the contractor is delivering high-quality   service, including quality improvement plans, financial   interventions, and other appropriate interventions or   restrictions.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a contract entered into or amended, modified, renewed, or   extended on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract   entered into or amended, modified, renewed, or extended before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the   date the contract was entered into or amended, modified, renewed,   or extended, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 4129 was passed by the House on April   30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 135, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 4129 was passed by the Senate on May   25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor