85R7898 MM-D     By: Minjarez H.B. No. 1608       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to creating a pilot program to provide summer internships   for foster children.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is   amended by adding Section 264.1251 to read as follows:          Sec. 264.1251.  SUMMER INTERNSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The   department shall establish a summer internship pilot program that   provides foster children with the opportunity to develop marketable   job skills and obtain professional work experience through a summer   internship with a participating business, nonprofit organization,   or governmental entity.          (b)  The department may collaborate with other state   agencies, as appropriate, to establish the pilot program.  The   pilot program may be implemented in more than one department   region.          (c)  The department may enter into an agreement with one or   more entities described by Subsection (a) to allow the entity to   award internships to children who participate in the pilot program.   Internships provided under the pilot program may be paid or unpaid.          (d)  Not later than April 1 of each year, the department   shall select foster children or former foster children who are 15   years of age or older to participate in the pilot program.  Each   child participating in the pilot program shall enter into an   agreement with the organization awarding the internship and the   department relating to the terms of the child's internship.          (e)  The department shall complete an evaluation of the pilot   program not later than the second anniversary of the date the   program begins.          (f)  The department shall submit a report on the evaluation   of the pilot program to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and   the speaker of the house of representatives.  The report must   include:                (1)  the number of children who participated in the   pilot program;                (2)  the location and type of internships provided   under the pilot program; and                (3)  details of the department's efforts to recruit   eligible children to participate in the pilot program.          (g)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to   implement this section.          (h)  This section expires September 1, 2021.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2018, the Department of   Family and Protective Services shall establish the pilot program   required by Section 264.1251, Family Code, as added by this Act.          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, 2017.