| TO: | Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1489 by Ogden (Relating to recruiting foster parents from certain organizations and immunity from liability of those organizations.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
The bill would require the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) to develop a statewide program to recruit and/or retain foster parents from faith-based organizations. It would require PRS to collaborate with faith-based organizations to inform prospective foster parents about the need for foster parents and to provide training for prospective foster parents recruited by the program.
The bill would provide that a faith-based organization, including the organization's volunteers and employees, that participates in the program is subject to civil liability under Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. The bill would also provide that a faith-based organization that provides financial or other assistance to a foster parent or to a member of the foster parent’s household is not liable for damages arising out of conduct of the foster parent or a member of the foster parent’s household.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house. Otherwise it would take effect on September 1, 2003.
PRS indicates that the agency could implement the provisions of this bill within existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 530 Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
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| LBB Staff: | JK, JO, EB, NM
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