88R9552 MM/PRL/LRM/MLH-D
 
  By: Schatzline H.B. No. 4965
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to measures to promote and support responsible fatherhood
  in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.9011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.9011.  JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS GRANT
  PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a pilot program
  under which a public secondary school may receive a grant to create,
  promote, or expand a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
  program.
         (b)  A public secondary school is eligible to participate in
  and receive a grant under eligibility criteria established by the
  commissioner.
         (c)  The commissioner shall establish application criteria
  for receiving a grant under this section.
         (d)  A public secondary school that receives a grant shall
  use the funds to create, promote, or expand a Junior Reserve
  Officers' Training Corps program at the school.
         (e)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
  administer the pilot program under this section.
         (f)  After five years, the commissioner shall submit a report
  to the governor and the legislature that includes:
               (1)  an assessment on the effectiveness of the pilot
  program at increasing high school graduation rates; and
               (2)  a recommendation regarding whether the pilot
  program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2029.
         SECTION 2.  Section 231.1211, Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 231.1211.  INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS ON STANDARD
  POSSESSION ORDER AND CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGOR RESOURCES. (a) The
  Title IV-D agency shall create informational materials that
  describe:
               (1)  the possession schedule under the standard
  possession order under Subchapter F, Chapter 153, including any
  alternate schedules or elections available to conservators; and
               (2)  resources available to assist child support
  obligors experiencing difficulty with meeting their child support
  obligations, including information:
                     (A)  describing career or financial assistance
  programs and services available to support unemployed or
  underemployed child support obligors;
                     (B)  explaining how to access those programs and
  services; and
                     (C)  detailing the process by which a child
  support obligor may seek to modify the obligor's child support
  obligation.
         (b)  The Title IV-D agency shall:
               (1)  make the informational materials described by
  Subsection (a) available on the agency's Internet website and
  distribute printed copies of those materials on request; and
               (2)  include information on how to access the
  informational materials described by Subsection (a)(2) in any
  notice given by the Title IV-D agency to a child support obligor who
  is delinquent in the payment of child support.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B-1, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.1621 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.1621.  FATHERHOOD ENGAGEMENT REPORTS. (a) Not
  later than March 1, 2024, each single source continuum contractor
  or other entity that contracts with the department to provide
  community-based care services shall:
               (1)  evaluate the entity's level of engagement with
  fathers;
               (2)  identify any gaps in service related to engagement
  with fathers;
               (3)  identify viable solutions to resolve any gaps
  identified under Subdivision (2); and
               (4)  report to the department regarding the entity's
  findings under this subsection.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2024, the entity described
  by Subsection (a) shall implement solutions to address any gaps in
  service for fathers identified under Subsection (a)(2).
         (c)  The department shall:
               (1)  conduct a semiannual review of each entity
  described by Subsection (a) to assess the entity's:
                     (A)  implementation of a plan to address gaps in
  service related to engagement with fathers; and
                     (B)  ability to meet the needs of fathers in this
  state;
               (2)  produce a report based on the department's review;
  and
               (3)  make the report available to the public not later
  than the 30th day after the date the department completes the
  report.
         SECTION 4.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H-1. PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT FATHERS
         Sec. 531.291.  RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE. (a) In
  this section, "initiative" means the Responsible Fatherhood
  Initiative established under this section.
         (b)  The commission, after issuing a request for proposals
  and conducting a transparent selection process, shall contract with
  a nonprofit organization for the development and implementation of
  the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. The initiative must provide
  an opportunity for every father in this state to obtain information
  and inspiration that will motivate and enable him to enhance his
  abilities as a father and recognize that some fathers have greater
  challenges than others and would benefit from greater support.
         (c)  The initiative must include:
               (1)  an Internet website and other related electronic
  resources that will allow a father to:
                     (A)  obtain information about effective
  parenting;
                     (B)  identify areas in which support would enhance
  the father's ability to be an effective father; and
                     (C)  connect to the support identified under
  Paragraph (B), including support provided by an organization
  receiving a grant under Section 531.292;
               (2)  appropriate materials from the fatherhood media
  campaign available through the National Responsible Fatherhood
  Clearinghouse; and
               (3)  print, television, digital, and social media
  elements and public events, including appearances by and
  involvement from public figures.
         (d)  To contract with the commission under this section, a
  nonprofit organization must be nonpartisan and nonpolitical and
  have:
               (1)  a history of focusing on responsible fatherhood,
  including providing online resources to fathers and engaging
  fathers, father figures, and children through community-based and
  school-based events to encourage responsible fatherhood; and
               (2)  the organizational capacity to manage a statewide
  initiative and successfully carry out the requirements of this
  section.
         (e)  The nonprofit organization with which the commission
  contracts under this section shall collaborate with relevant state
  agencies and private organizations to develop and implement the
  initiative. The commission and other relevant state agencies shall
  provide support to the organization as necessary to carry out the
  initiative.
         Sec. 531.292.  GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SUPPORT TO
  FATHERS. (a) To the extent money is appropriated to the commission
  for that purpose, the commission shall establish a program under
  which the commission awards grants to community-based nonprofit
  organizations to support fathers in this state by providing
  comprehensive support to fathers, including assistance with:
               (1)  finding employment;
               (2)  managing child support obligations;
               (3)  transitioning from a period of incarceration; and
               (4)  accessing health care.
         (b)  A community-based nonprofit organization that receives
  a grant under this section must provide:
               (1)  assistance that is tailored to the needs of the
  father being served; and
               (2)  case management services, either directly or by
  subcontract, to the father being served.
         (c)  A grant awarded under this section may be awarded to a
  community-based nonprofit organization for not more than three
  years.
         (d)  Not later than the third anniversary of the date the
  commission implements the grant program established under this
  section, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and
  the legislature regarding the results and performance of the grant
  program and any recommendations for legislative or other action,
  including whether to continue the program.
         SECTION 5.  Section 531.982, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  The commission shall implement fatherhood engagement
  activities as part of a home visiting program implemented under
  this section. The activities may include increased and
  individualized support for fathers that is designed to strengthen
  the family and increase child well-being.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 662.116 to read as follows:
         Sec. 662.116.  RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD MONTH. (a) June is
  Responsible Fatherhood Month to honor a father's contribution to
  their child's well-being, safety, and stability.
         (b)  During Responsible Fatherhood Month, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall at least weekly promote the
  importance of fatherhood for the health and welfare of a child
  through community engagement events, the news media, the
  commission's Internet website and social media platforms, and any
  other method the commission uses to communicate with the public.
         (c)  Responsible Fatherhood Month shall be regularly
  observed through appropriate activities in public locations to
  increase awareness of the importance and benefits of fatherhood.
         SECTION 7.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the commissioner of education shall establish the
  grant program required under Section 29.9011, Education Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 8.  Not later than September 1, 2024:
               (1)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
  Section 531.292, Government Code, as added by this Act; and
               (2)  the commission shall establish and implement:
                     (A)  the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative
  required under Section 531.291, Government Code, as added by this
  Act; and
                     (B)  the grant program required under Section
  531.292, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.