BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1387
87R2993 MCK-D	By: Harris; Noble (Birdwell)
	State Affairs
	5/11/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised that the regulations on weapon storage in foster care homes are too burdensome, requiring any firearms and ammunition to be stored in separate locked cases and requiring some firearms to be secured with certain trigger-locking devices. Advocates suggest that eliminating these storage requirements may remove a disincentive for many potential foster parents and make the prospect of foster parenting more appealing, thereby leading to greater opportunities for placement of children in foster care. H.B. 1387 seeks to encourage additional foster care opportunities while maintaining second amendment rights by eliminating certain firearm and ammunition storage requirements for foster homes.

H.B. 1387 amends current law relating to the storage of firearms and ammunition in the same locked location in certain foster homes.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.042(e-1), Human Resources Code, to delete existing text requiring that the minimum standards allow firearms and ammunition to be stored separately or stored together in the same locked location if the firearms are stored with a trigger locking device attached to the firearms.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.