(a) The commission shall contract with a community organization, including a faith-based community organization, or a nonprofit organization to develop and implement a family-based alternatives system under which a child who cannot reside with the child’s birth family may receive necessary services in a family-based alternative instead of an institution. For purposes of this subsection, a community organization, including a faith-based community organization, or a nonprofit organization does not include:
(1) a governmental entity; or
(2) a quasi-governmental entity to which a state agency delegates authority and responsibility for planning, supervising, providing, or ensuring the provision of state services.
(b) To be eligible for the contract under Subsection (a), an organization must possess knowledge regarding the support needs of children with disabilities and their families.

(c) The contracted organization may subcontract for one or more components of implementing the family-based alternatives system with:
(1) community organizations, including faith-based community organizations;
(2) nonprofit organizations;
(3) governmental entities; or
(4) quasi-governmental entities described by Subsection (a)(2).

Text of section effective on April 01, 2025