LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 1, 2009

TO:	Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3137 by Gallego (Relating to a foster parent's bill of rights.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would establish a list of rights to which each foster parent is entitled to the extent provided by state or federal law or policy. It would require the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) or the child-placing agency to inform the foster parent, orally and in writing, of the rights provided by the foster parent’s bill of rights. The bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission and DFPS to ensure, as appropriate, that the rules and policies governing foster care are consistent with the foster parent’s bill of rights. 

 

The bill could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds for implementation. It is assumed, however, that the agencies would not make any substantive programmatic changes without further policy direction from the legislature and could absorb the costs of notification and rulemaking within existing resources.    

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, JJ, LR, NM