83R11012 MCK-D
 
  By: Carona S.B. No. 1402
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to access to records and certain information in those
  records regarding a child placed for adoption.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 162.006, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  The department, licensed child-placing agency, or other
  person[, or entity] placing a child for adoption shall inform the
  prospective adoptive parents of their right to examine the records
  and other information relating to the history of the child.  The
  department, licensed child-placing agency, or other person [or
  entity] placing the child for adoption shall edit the records and
  information to protect the identity of the biological parents and
  any other person whose identity is confidential.
         (a-1)  The records described by Subsection (a) must include
  any records relating to an investigation of abuse in which the child
  was an alleged or confirmed victim of sexual abuse while residing in
  a foster home or other residential child-care facility. If the
  licensed child-placing agency or other person placing the child for
  adoption does not have the information required by this subsection,
  the department, at the request of the licensed child-placing agency
  or other person placing the child for adoption, shall provide the
  information to the prospective adoptive parents of the child.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.