H.B. 586 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 586 By: Villarreal Human Services Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chapter 42 of the Human Resources Code regulates child care facilities and gives rulemaking authority to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (department) for this purpose. It is the policy of the state to ensure the protection of all children under care in child care facilities and to encourage and assist in the improvement of child care programs. HB 586 makes changes to Chapter 42 by updating and revising language and removing obsolete sections. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS HB 586 amends Chapter 42 by modifying obsolete language in the provision related to alternative accreditation bodies. The bill modifies language related to the maximum number of children for which a provider may serve. HB 586 provides clarification of regulations and definitions of various child care facilities and identifies those entities and circumstance under which the regulations do not apply. The bill provides the circumstances under which the department may grant a variance in the applicable standards. The bill modifies language by replacing investigations with inspections. HB 586 provides additional language related to the relocation of a licensed child-placing agency, the suspension or revocation of a license, listing, or registration, and the requirements for the administration of an agency foster home or agency foster group home. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.