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Texas Family Code - Section 162.309. Advisory Committee On Promoting Adoption Of Minority Children

Legal Research Home > Texas Lawyer > Family Code > Texas Family Code - Section 162.309. Advisory Committee On Promoting Adoption Of Minority Children

§ 162.309. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PROMOTING ADOPTION OF 
MINORITY CHILDREN.  (a) An advisory committee on promoting the 
adoption of and provision of services to minority children is 
established within the department.
	(b)  The committee is composed of 12 members appointed by the 
board of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.  The 
board shall appoint to the committee individuals who in the 
aggregate have knowledge of and experience in community education, 
cultural relations, family support, counseling, and parenting 
skills and education.  At least six members must be ordained members 
of the clergy.
	(c)  A committee member serves for a two-year term and may be 
appointed for additional terms.
	(d)  A member of the committee receives no compensation but 
is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses 
incurred in performing the member's duties under this section.
	(e)  The committee shall elect one member to serve as 
presiding officer.  The presiding officer serves for a two-year 
term and may be elected for additional terms.
	(f)  The department shall set the time and place of the first 
committee meeting.  The committee shall meet at least quarterly.
	(g)  The department shall pay the expenses of the committee 
and shall supply necessary personnel and supplies.
	(h)  To promote the adoption of and provision of services to 
minority children, the committee shall:
		(1)  study, develop, and evaluate programs and projects 
relating to community awareness and education, family support, 
counseling, parenting skills and education, and reform of the child 
welfare system;
		(2)  consult with churches and other cultural and civic 
organizations;  and 
		(3)  report to the department at least annually the 
committee's recommendations for department programs and projects 
that will promote the adoption of and provision of services to 
minority children.
	(i)  On receiving the committee's recommendations, the 
department may adopt rules to implement a program or project 
recommended under this section.  The department may solicit, 
accept, and use gifts and donations to implement a program or 
project recommended by the committee.
	(j)  The department shall report to the legislature not later 
than November 1 of each even-numbered year following the first year 
in which it receives recommendations under this section regarding 
committee recommendations and action taken by the department under 
this section.
	(k)  The recruitment of minority families may not be a reason 
to delay placement of a child with an available family of a race or 
ethnicity different from that of the child.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 7.17(a), eff. Sept. 1, 
1997.   

Last modified: August 11, 2007