Bill > SB1149

This bill makes several changes to regulations governing child welfare in Texas, focusing on licensure, insurance, and operational requirements. It creates a new exemption for single source continuum contractors (SSCCs), allowing them to provide community-based child welfare services without obtaining a child-placing agency license, though they must still comply with other applicable laws and regulations ensuring child safety. The bill reduces liability insurance requirements for facilities from $300,000 to $100,000 per occurrence, extends initial licensing periods from six to 12 months, and modifies requirements for child-care and child-placing agency administrators by replacing specific experience and education requirements with a more flexible standard of having an "experiential or educational equivalent" to a bachelor's degree in social work or child development. The bill also simplifies posting requirements for "No Trespassing" notices at residential treatment centers and adjusts license renewal fees. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with some provisions (like insurance requirements) starting January 1, 2026, and the Department of Family and Protective Services required to adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025. The overarching goal appears to be streamlining administrative processes while maintaining child safety standards.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1149