Sec. 40.045.  EFFICIENCY AUDIT.  (a) For purposes of this section, "efficiency audit" means an investigation of the operations of the department to examine fiscal management, efficiency, outcomes for children and families served by the department, and utilization of resources.
(b)  During the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, and every fourth year after that date, the department shall conduct an efficiency audit.
(c)  In a year in which an efficiency audit is completed as  required by this section, the efficiency audit shall satisfy the department's annual internal audit requirements under Chapter 2102, Government Code.
(d)  The department shall pay the costs associated with an efficiency audit required under this section using money appropriated for administrative and internal audit operations in the state fiscal year the audit is conducted.
(e)  Not later than March 1 of the state fiscal year in which an efficiency audit is required under this section, the commissioner, in collaboration with the council, the department's chief financial officer, and the department's internal audit director, shall select an external auditor to conduct the efficiency audit.
(f)  The external auditor shall be independent of the department's direction.
(g)  The external auditor shall complete the audit not later than the 90th day after the date the auditor is selected.
(h)  The Legislative Budget Board shall establish the scope of the efficiency audit and determine the areas of investigation for the audit, including:
(1)  reviewing the department's resources to determine whether they are being used effectively and efficiently to achieve desired outcomes for children and families served by the department, including the following outcomes:
(A)  ensuring the safety of children in placements;
(B)  preventing entry into foster care through the use of family preservation services;
(C)  reducing the amount of time that a child is placed in substitute care and is in the conservatorship of the department;
(D)  increasing the placement of children with relative or kinship caregivers when possible;
(E)  ensuring sufficient state capacity for foster care and kinship placements;
(F)  reducing the number of children who age out of care and enhancing supports for youth at risk of aging out of care; and
(G)  increasing the reunification of children with the biological parents of the children when possible;
(2)  identifying cost savings or reallocations of resources; and
(3)  identifying opportunities for the department to partner with other state agencies and community organizations to improve services through consolidation of essential functions, outsourcing, and elimination of duplicative efforts.
(i)  Not later than November 1 of the calendar year an efficiency audit is conducted, the auditor shall prepare and submit a report of the audit and recommendations for efficiency improvements to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board, the state auditor, the commissioner, the council, and the chairs of the House Human Services Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 342 (H.B. 2374), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.