Bill > HB5536

This bill establishes a Child Protective Services Prevention Grant Program administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to help prevent child abuse and neglect. The program will award grants to Texas-based, community-driven nonprofit organizations that focus on identifying and supporting children at high risk of abuse and neglect in counties with the highest per capita rates of child abuse. To be eligible, organizations must provide child-centered strategies, have data-sharing agreements with state agencies, demonstrate municipal and county support, possess authorization to serve foster care children, and use accepted psychological assessments to measure program impact. Applicants must submit annual reports detailing participant outcomes and prevention strategies. The commission will allocate a minimum of $10 million each fiscal biennium for these grants, targeting areas of need not exceeding one square mile in high-risk counties. The goal is to intervene early, keep families together, and improve children's chances for healthy, productive lives. The executive commissioner of HHSC is required to adopt implementing rules by January 1, 2026, with the program set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5536