By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 1489


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to recruiting foster parents from certain organizations 
and immunity from liability of those organizations.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is 
amended by adding Sections 264.113 and 264.114 to read as follows:
	Sec. 264.113.  FOSTER PARENT RECRUITMENT.  (a)  In this 
section "faith-based organization" means an organization exempt 
from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal 
Revenue Code by being listed as an exempt organization in Section 
501(c)(3) of that code and organized for religious purposes.
	(b)  The department shall develop a statewide program to 
recruit and/or retain foster parents from faith-based 
organizations.  As part of the program, the department shall:
		(1)  communicate to prospective foster parents under 
this section the department's need for foster parents, the 
requirements for becoming a foster parent, and any other aspect of 
the foster care program that is necessary to recruit foster 
parents; and
		(2)  provide training for prospective foster parents 
recruited under this section.
	Sec. 264.114.  IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY.  (a)  A faith-based 
organization that participates in a program under this section and 
the organization's volunteers and employees shall be immune from 
liability as provided in Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies 
Code.
	(b)  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.  This Act applies only to liability for conduct 
that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.  Liability 
for conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and that 
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.