Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 155 amends the Human Resources Code to require a family home to be listed with the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services if it is compensated for providing regular care to fewer than four children who are not related to the caretaker. The act requires an applicant for listing as a family home to pay an application fee and an annual administrative fee and to submit to background and criminal history checks. A licensed child-care facility and a registered family home are also required to submit to background and criminal history checks and are required to pay an administrative fee to cover the cost of a background and criminal history check. The act authorizes the department to deny or revoke the licensure of a child-care facility or the listing or registration of a family home based on the results of a background or criminal history check.

            In addition, House Bill 155 authorizes the department to inspect registered family homes and requires the department to investigate a listed family home upon receipt of a complaint of abuse or neglect. The act provides for the suspension or closure of a listed or registered family home and establishes a civil penalty and certain criminal offenses.

            The act also includes provisions relating to public advertising of family homes.