2025S0052-1 01/30/25     By: Lujan H.B. No. 4322     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to required training for caregivers to children, including   foster parents.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 42.0537, Human Resources Code, is   amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections   (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows:          (a) The department and each single source continuum   contractor shall include a provision in each contract with a   child-placing agency with whom children in the managing   conservatorship of the department are placed that requires the   child-placing agency to provide competency-based, preservice   training to a potential caregiver before the child-placing agency   verifies or approves the caregiver as a foster or adoptive home.   Except as provided by Subsection (d), the amount of training   required by this subsection may not exceed 20 [35] hours.          (b)  The department shall adopt policies to ensure that each   potential caregiver receives competency-based, preservice training   before the department verifies or approves the caregiver as a   foster or adoptive home. Except as provided by Subsection (d), the   amount of training required by this subsection may not exceed 20    [35] hours.          (b-1)  Prior to licensure renewal, each caregiver shall   successfully complete competency-based, annual training on   subjects affecting the daily living experiences of foster parenting   and the needs of children in care. The amount of annual training   required of each caregiver may not exceed 10 hours. The department,   single source continuum contractor, or child-placing agency   licensing the caregiver shall ensure that required annual training   subjects are relevant to the caregiver's license or the unique   needs of the children placed with the caregiver. The commissioner   and executive commissioner shall collaborate to adopt rules   necessary to implement this subsection.          (b-2)  A foster parent may waive the daily reimbursement rate   for foster care services. If the foster parent elects to waive the   daily reimbursement rate, the foster parent shall be exempt from   the annual training requirements under Subsection (b-1) except for   any training the department, child-placing agency, or single source   continuum contractor determines is necessary to meet the unique   needs of the child placed with the foster parent. Such training may   not exceed five hours per year. The commissioner and executive   commissioner shall collaborate to adopt rules necessary to   implement this subsection.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.