HB 5581

relating to the creation of an oversight advisory council on foster
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.029 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.029.  OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FOSTER CARE
PLACEMENT.  (a)  In this section, "oversight advisory council"
means the oversight advisory council on foster care placement
established under this section.
(b)  The oversight advisory council on foster care placement
is established to advise the department on foster care placements
and review complaints regarding the foster care placement of
children in the conservatorship of the department.
(c)  The oversight advisory council is composed of seven
(1)  five members appointed by the governor, including:
(A)  one member who represents a religious
(B)  one member who represents a law enforcement
(C)  one member who is a foster care parent; and
(D)  two members who represent the foster care
(2)  one member who represents  the foster care
community, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(3)  one member who represents the foster care
community, appointed by the speaker of the house of
(d)  Members of the oversight advisory council serve
staggered four-year terms, with the terms of one-half of the
members, or as near to one-half as possible, expiring on February 1
(e)  The members of the oversight advisory council serve
without compensation and may not be reimbursed for travel expenses
incurred while conducting the business of the council.
(f)  The members of the oversight advisory council shall
select from among the members a presiding officer of the council.
(g)  The oversight advisory council shall meet at least twice
each year at the call of the presiding officer.
(h)  The oversight advisory council shall review the
department's foster care placement system and complaints submitted
to the department or the Health and Human Services Commission
regarding the foster care placement of children in the
conservatorship of the department.
(i)  The department and the Health and Human Services
Commission shall provide to the oversight advisory council
information, including relevant testimony, on the foster care
placement system and on complaints filed with the department or
commission regarding the foster care placement of children in the
conservatorship of the department.
(j)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the oversight advisory council shall prepare and submit to the
department, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the
standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary
(1)  a written report summarizing the council's
determinations about the foster care placement system and the
complaints reviewed regarding foster care placement; and
(2)  any recommendations for legislation or other
(k)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
shall appoint the initial members of the oversight advisory council
on foster care placement as required by Section 40.029, Human
Resources Code, as added by this Act, to staggered terms with the
terms of three members expiring February 1, 2027, and the terms of
four members expiring February 1, 2029.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.