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.