H.B. No. 3008
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a pilot program to match certain
  teens in foster care with adult mentors.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 264.1165 to read as follows:
         Sec. 264.1165.  MENTORSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The
  department shall establish a pilot program under which the
  department contracts with a private or nonprofit entity to pair
  children in foster care in Tarrant County, Denton County, Dallas
  County, and Collin County who are 14 years of age or older with
  volunteer adult mentors in order to foster relationships of support
  and guidance in preparation for the children's transition to adult
  living.
         (b)  The private or nonprofit entity selected by the
  department to administer the program must have a demonstrated
  record of successfully providing services similar to those provided
  under the program.
         (c)  Children in foster care who qualify for participation in
  the program may participate on a voluntary basis.
         (d)  An individual who volunteers as a mentor under the
  program is subject to state and national criminal background checks
  in accordance with Sections 411.087 and 411.114, Government Code.
         (e)  The department shall encourage substitute care
  providers to facilitate participation in the program by a child who
  chooses to voluntarily participate in the program.
         (f)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules for the
  administration of this section.
         (g)  The department shall report to the lieutenant governor,
  the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the
  legislature not later than January 1, 2011, on the activities
  conducted under the pilot program. The report must include the
  department's recommendations on improvements to the program and
  whether the program should be continued on a statewide basis.
         (h)  The department shall contract with a public institution
  of higher education located in the geographic area served by the
  pilot program for the institution to conduct an evaluation of the
  effectiveness of the program. The institution selected to conduct
  an evaluation under this subsection shall report its findings to
  the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, and the members of the legislature not later than
  January 1, 2011. The report must include the institution's:
               (1)  assessment of the effectiveness of the program;
  and
               (2)  recommendations on improvements to the program and
  whether the program should be continued on a statewide basis.
         (i)  This section expires September 1, 2011.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3008 was passed by the House on May
  11, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 1, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3008 was passed by the Senate on May
  23, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor