Section 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;(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.Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 42.0531
Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 317,Sec. 62, eff. 9/1/2017.Added by Acts 2015, Texas Acts of the 84th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 338,Sec. 5, eff. 9/1/2015.