HB 3989 — Relating to the establishment of the supporting life pilot program as part of the Thriving Texas Families Program.

Summary

Relating to the establishment of the supporting life pilot program as part of the Thriving Texas Families Program.

Bill Text

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

• Sec. 54.012. SUPPORTING LIFE PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: (1) "Advisory board" means the supporting life pilot program advisory board established under this section. (2) "Pilot program" means the supporting life pilot program established under this section. (b) The commission shall establish the supporting life pilot program to further the goals of the Thriving Texas Families Program by contracting with service providers to provide care coordination and support services to pregnant teenagers and by establishing a centralized facility the commission owns and operates for provision of services under the pilot program. The commission shall operate the pilot program in a county with a population of 4 million or more. (c) The pilot program services must include: (1) housing services; (2) child care services for children 36 months of age and younger; (3) early childhood or prekindergarten educational services; (4) services provided by a community health worker, as defined by Section 48.001; (5) the provision of educational materials on pregnancy and parenting; (6) the provision of counseling and therapy services for pregnant individuals and parents; (7) the provision of parenting classes; (8) services designed to support access to educational opportunities for pregnant individuals and parents, including by coordinating with counseling and planning services for trade or vocational schools and institutions of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and (9) the provision of group activities involving community, educational, recreational, or social functions to promote the health and well-being of families. (d) The commission shall operate the pilot program in consultation with the supporting life pilot program advisory board. The advisory board is composed of five members appointed by the executive commissioner. (e) The commission, in consultation with the advisory board, shall hire an executive director. The executive director shall manage the pilot program, including hiring personnel and managing a budget for the pilot program. (f) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum qualifications for an individual serving as the executive director under Subsection (e). (g) To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, an individual must: (1) be 11 years of age or older but younger than 21 years of age; (2) be expecting a child or be the parent of a child who is 36 months of age or younger; and (3) have resided in the county in which the pilot program operates for at least one year before applying to participate in the pilot program. (h) In evaluating applications for participation in the pilot program, the commission, in consultation with the advisory board, shall prioritize unhoused individuals who meet the eligibility requirements described by Subsection (g). (i) Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission, in consultation with the advisory board, shall prepare and submit to the legislature a written report on: (1) the outcomes of participants receiving services under the pilot program; (2) trends in the coordination of care and the use and availability of support services with the implementation of the pilot program; and (3) any recommendations for legislative or other action. (j) The pilot program terminates, the advisory board is abolished, and this section expires January 1, 2032.

  amended

Action History

1. March 27, 2025

   Referred to Public Health

2. March 27, 2025

   Read first time

3. March 06, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Lauren A. Simmons · Cosponsor
• Armando Walle · Primary

Subjects