Sec. 42.0531. SECURE AGENCY FOSTER HOMES. (a) The commissioners court of a county or governing body of a municipality may contract with a child-placing agency to verify a secure agency foster home to provide a safe and therapeutic environment tailored to the needs of children who are victims of trafficking.

(b) A child-placing agency may not verify a secure agency foster home to provide services under this section unless the child-placing agency holds a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the agency to provide services to victims of trafficking in accordance with department standards adopted under this chapter for child-placing agencies.

(c) A secure agency foster home verified under this section must provide:

(1) mental health and other services specifically designed to assist children who are victims of trafficking under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03, Penal Code, including:

(A) victim and family counseling;

(B) behavioral health care;

(C) treatment and intervention for sexual assault;

(D) education tailored to the child's needs;

(E) life skills training;

(F) mentoring; and

(G) substance abuse screening and treatment as needed;

(2) individualized services based on the trauma endured by a child, as determined through comprehensive assessments of the service needs of the child;

(3) 24-hour services; and

(4) appropriate security through facility design, hardware, technology, and staffing.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 338 (H.B. 418), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 317 (H.B. 7), Sec. 62, eff. September 1, 2017.