SRC-VRA S.B. 1489 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1489
By: Ogden
Health & Human Services
3/25/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a shortage of foster parents in Texas.  The Texas
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services' (DPRS) most recent
numbers indicate that there are approximately 15,000 children who need
homes and only 7,000 eligible foster families.  As proposed, S.B. 1489
requires DPRS to develop a program to recruit foster parents from
faith-based communities.  The program will entail sending DPRS recruiters
to encourage families within faith communities to become foster parents. 

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 Chapter 264B, Family Code, by adding Sections 264.113
and 264.114, as follows: 
 
Sec. 264.113.  FOSTER PARENT RECRUITMENT.  (a) Defines "faith-based
organization." 
 
(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
(DPRS) to develop a statewide program to recruit and/or retain foster
parents from faith-based organizations.  Requires DPRS, as part of the
program, to perform certain tasks. 
  
Sec. 264.114.  IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY.  (a)  Requires a faith-based
organization that participates in a program under this section and the
organization's volunteers and employees to be immune from liability as
provided in Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. 
 
(b)  Provides that a faith-based organization that provides financial or
other assistance to a person who is a foster parent or to members of the
person's household is not liable for damages arising out of conduct of the
foster parent or members of the person's household. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.