Texas SB 1353: Relating to addressing adverse childhood experiences and developing a strategic plan to address those experiences.

Bill Text

By:AAPowell S.B.ANo.A1353
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to addressing adverse childhood experiences and
developing a strategic plan to address those experiences.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTIONA1.AASubchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.0222 to read as follows:
Sec.A531.0222.AACOORDINATION TO ADDRESS ADVERSE CHILDHOOD
EXPERIENCES; STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) In this section, "adverse
childhood experience" includes:
(1)AAabuse as defined by Section 261.001, Family Code;
(2)AAneglect as defined by Section 261.001, Family
Code;
(3)AAfamily violence as defined by Section 71.004,
Family Code;
(4)AAintimate partner violence;
(5)AAparental separation or divorce; and
(6)AAsubstance use disorder, mental illness, or
incarceration of a member of a child’s household.
(b)AAIn order to reduce exposure of children in this state to
adverse childhood experiences and to address the social, health,
and economic impacts of those experiences, the commission, in
collaboration with the Department of Family and Protective
Services, the Department of State Health Services, the Texas
Education Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission, and an
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institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003,
Education Code, with expertise in addressing adverse childhood
experiences through a public health framework shall:
(1)AAanalyze data related to the causes and effects of
adverse childhood experiences, including data from the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System established by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Public Health
Service;
(2)AAevaluate prevention needs and gaps in services and
support regarding awareness of, screening for, and treatment of
adverse childhood experiences;
(3)AAidentify methods to incorporate best practices for
preventing and treating adverse childhood experiences into
existing services and support programs offered for children and
families; and
(4)AAdevelop and implement a five-year strategic plan
to prevent and address adverse childhood experiences.
(c)AAIn developing the five-year strategic plan under
Subsection (b)(4), the commission may collaborate with
representatives of:
(1)AAstate and local agencies and nonprofit
organizations that work directly with children and families;
(2)AAchild welfare services providers;
(3)AAearly childhood education programs;
(4)AApublic schools;
(5)AAmedical and mental health services providers;
(6)AAsocial services providers;
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(7)AAthe law enforcement and criminal justice
community;
(8)AAfaith-based organizations; and
(9)AAthe business community.
(d)AAThe strategic plan must incorporate a public health
approach that promotes collaboration between agencies and
community-based providers. The strategic plan may include
strategies to:
(1)AAtrain and educate professionals to assess, treat,
and prevent adverse childhood experiences;
(2)AAprovide trauma-informed practices;
(3)AAprovide high quality child care;
(4)AAprovide support to parents to develop social and
economic independence;
(5)AAdevelop voluntary, evidence-based home visiting
programs specifically developed to meet the needs of women who are
pregnant and families with an infant to strengthen parenting skills
and the child’s social and emotional development;
(6)AAdevelop parental support programs for teen parents
and young mothers;
(7)AAdevelop parental education training and
counseling programs;
(8)AAidentify best practices for child protective
services;
(9)AAtreat mental illness and substance use disorder;
and
(10)AAprevent intimate partner and family violence.
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(e)AAThe commission shall publish the five-year strategic
plan required by Subsection (b) on the commission’s Internet
website.
SECTIONA2.AANot later than December 1, 2020, the Health and
Human Services Commission shall:
(1)AAdevelop the five-year strategic plan required by
Section 531.0222(b)(4), Government Code, as added by this Act; and
(2)AAsubmit a report to the Senate Health and Human
Services Committee, the House Public Health Committee, and the
House Human Services Committee regarding the commission’s
strategies for preventing and treating adverse childhood
experiences and any plan to incorporate those strategies into
existing services and support programs for children and families.
SECTIONA3.AAThis Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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