CASELOAD MANAGEMENT.

(a) Subject to a specific appropriation for that purpose, the department shall develop and implement a caseload management system for child protective services caseworkers and managers that:

(1) ensures equity in the distribution of workload, based on the complexity of each case;

(2) calculates caseloads based on the number of individual caseworkers who are available to handle cases;

(3) includes geographic case assignment in areas with concentrated high risk populations, to ensure that an adequate number of caseworkers and managers with expertise and specialized training are available;

(4) includes a plan to deploy master investigators in anticipation of emergency shortages of personnel; and

(5) anticipates vacancies in caseworker positions in areas of the state with high caseworker turnover to ensure the timely hiring of new caseworkers in those areas.

(b) In calculating the caseworker caseload under Subsection (a)(2), the department shall consider at least the following:

(1) caseworkers who are on extended leave;

(2) caseworkers who worked hours beyond a normal work week; and

(3) caseworkers who are on a reduced workload.