BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 848

By: Guillen

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a parent is not authorized to enter into an authorization agreement with a relative or other person with whom a child is placed under a parental child safety placement agreement to allow the relative or person to perform certain acts with regard to the child.  The goal of C.S.H.B. 848 is to allow certain persons to enter into such authorization agreements so they will be able to make decisions regarding a child during an investigation of child abuse or neglect. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 848 amends the Family Code to authorize a parent to enter into an authorization agreement with a relative or other person with whom a child is placed under a parental child safety placement agreement approved by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to allow the person to perform certain acts relating to an authorization agreement for a nonparent relative with regard to the child during an investigation of abuse or neglect or while DFPS is providing services to the parent. The bill provides for the termination of such an authorization agreement if DFPS terminates the parental child safety agreement or if the parental child safety agreement expires. The bill makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 848 contains a provision not in the original providing for the termination of an authorization agreement relating to a child placed under a parental child safety agreement under certain circumstances and contains a conforming change not in the original.