Sec. 2155.1442. FOSTER CARE RESIDENTIAL CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. (a) Subject to Subsection (e), the state auditor shall conduct a management review of the residential contract management employees of the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Family and Protective Services and make recommendations regarding the organization of, and skills and educational requirements for, those employees. The state auditor shall also make recommendations regarding the implementation of financial accountability provisions and processes to ensure effective and efficient expenditure of state and other contract funds.

(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall contract with the state auditor to perform on-site financial audits of selected residential contractors as necessary. The state auditor, in consultation with the commission, shall select the contractors to audit based on the contract's risk assessment rating, allegations of fraud or misuse of state or other contract funds, or other appropriate audit selection criteria. The residential contractors selected to be audited must be included in the audit plan and approved by the legislative audit committee under Section 321.013.

(c) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall require that all files related to contracts for residential care of foster children:

(1) be complete and accurately reflect the contractor's actual updated contract performance; and

(2) be maintained in accordance with the department's record retention procedures and made available to the state auditor when requested.

(d) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for the purpose, the Department of Family and Protective Services may develop an Internet-based system to enable residential contractors to review their reimbursement accounts or other pertinent financial data and reconcile their accounts.

(e) Work performed under Subsections (a) and (b) by the state auditor is subject to approval by the legislative audit committee for inclusion in the audit plan under Section 321.013(c).

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 1.72(a), eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1406 (S.B. 758), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2007.