BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4233
88R24360 MM-F	By: Zwiener et al. (Zaffirini)
	Health & Human Services
	5/15/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There are concerns regarding the Department of Family and Protective Services' (DFPS) training procedures for persons who provide care for children or youth in DFPS's conservatorship who are at risk of running away. The Runaway Prevention Resource Guide currently is available to DFPS caseworkers, but not to those persons serving as caregivers for children considered at high risk for running away. H.B. 4233 aims to enhance the preparedness of foster parents and other similarly situated persons intending to care for children or youth in DFPS's conservatorship who are at high risk of running away. This would be achieved by requiring these caregivers to complete a DFPS training program focusing on runaway prevention measures and appropriate procedures in the event of a runaway incident.

H.B. 4233 amends current law relating to training regarding runaway prevention for certain individuals who provide care for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

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 264.015, Family Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows:

(d) Requires each foster parent, prospective adoptive parent, and relative or other designated caregiver who provide care for children and youth in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) who are 10 years of age or older to complete a training program on:

(1) runaway prevention measures; and

(2) proper procedures in the event a child or youth runs away from the provider.

(e) Authorizes the training under Subsection (d) to be:

(1) offered to providers who provide care for children in the conservatorship of DFPS who are younger than 10 years of age who have a history of running away;

(2) included as part of existing licensing training provided by DFPS or contracted residential child-care providers; and

(3) offered in lieu of required training that is not relevant based on the age of the children for whom the person will be providing care.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.