89R14160 MPF-D     By: Walle H.B. No. 3989       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the supporting life pilot program   as part of the Thriving Texas Families Program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 54, Health and Safety Code, as added by   Chapter 1033 (S.B. 24), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2023, is amended by adding Section 54.012 to read as   follows:          Sec. 54.012.  SUPPORTING LIFE PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this   section:                (1)  "Advisory board" means the supporting life pilot   program advisory board established under this section.                (2)  "Pilot program" means the supporting life pilot   program established under this section.          (b)  The commission shall establish the supporting life   pilot program to further the goals of the Thriving Texas Families   Program by contracting with service providers to provide care   coordination and support services to pregnant teenagers and by   establishing a centralized facility the commission owns and   operates for provision of services under the pilot program. The   commission shall operate the pilot program in a county with a   population of 4 million or more.          (c)  The pilot program services must include:                (1)  housing services;                (2)  child care services for children 36 months of age   and younger;                (3)  early childhood or prekindergarten educational   services;                (4)  services provided by a community health worker, as   defined by Section 48.001;                (5)  the provision of educational materials on   pregnancy and parenting;                (6)  the provision of counseling and therapy services   for pregnant individuals and parents;                (7)  the provision of parenting classes;                (8)  services designed to support access to educational   opportunities for pregnant individuals and parents, including by   coordinating with counseling and planning services for trade or   vocational schools and institutions of higher education, as defined   by Section 61.003, Education Code; and                (9)  the provision of group activities involving   community, educational, recreational, or social functions to   promote the health and well-being of families.          (d)  The commission shall operate the pilot program in   consultation with the supporting life pilot program advisory board.   The advisory board is composed of five members appointed by the   executive commissioner.          (e)  The commission, in consultation with the advisory   board, shall hire an executive director. The executive director   shall manage the pilot program, including hiring personnel and   managing a budget for the pilot program.          (f)  The executive commissioner by rule shall establish   minimum qualifications for an individual serving as the executive   director under Subsection (e).          (g)  To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, an   individual must:                (1)  be 11 years of age or older but younger than 21   years of age;                (2)  be expecting a child or be the parent of a child   who is 36 months of age or younger; and                (3)  have resided in the county in which the pilot   program operates for at least one year before applying to   participate in the pilot program.          (h)  In evaluating applications for participation in the   pilot program, the commission, in consultation with the advisory   board, shall prioritize unhoused individuals who meet the   eligibility requirements described by Subsection (g).          (i)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission,   in consultation with the advisory board, shall prepare and submit   to the legislature a written report on:                (1)  the outcomes of participants receiving services   under the pilot program;                (2)  trends in the coordination of care and the use and   availability of support services with the implementation of the   pilot program; and                (3)  any recommendations for legislative or other   action.          (j)  The pilot program terminates, the advisory board is   abolished, and this section expires January 1, 2032.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   appoint the supporting life pilot program advisory board members as   required by Section 54.012(d), Health and Safety Code, as added by   this Act.          SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2027, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   establish the supporting life pilot program as required by Section   54.012, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, including by   adopting rules as necessary to implement that section.          SECTION 4.  Notwithstanding Section 54.012(i), Health and   Safety Code, as added by this Act, the Health and Human Services   Commission and the supporting life pilot program advisory board   shall submit the first report required by that subsection not later   than December 1, 2027.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.