Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.

HB 1536 establishes a pilot program to provide community-based child welfare services in eligible rural Texas regions where the state previously couldn't secure service providers. The program requires the state to select a local nonprofit (with a resident-led board) or government entity to develop a service plan including early intervention to prevent foster care placements and improve outcomes for rural children and families. It aims to build community-led solutions and create a sustainable, replicable model for delivering child welfare services in underserved areas. The bill defines "eligible rural regions" as catchment areas where two-thirds of counties have populations under 50,000 and the state received no bids for community-based care.