BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Department of Family and Protective Services currently maintains a searchable database through which an individual seeking to make an informed decision regarding a child-care provider is able to obtain information concerning the background and operations of certain licensed child-care facilities and family homes. There is concern, however, that the information available through this database may not adequately inform users of the details surrounding a revocation or suspension of a registration or listing of a family home. Interested parties assert that this is especially true considering that an individual may reapply with the state as a child-care provider after five years, but information on the individual is retained in the database for only two years. H.B. 1180 seeks to ensure that pertinent information regarding family homes is available to the general public so that the data may be utilized by individuals to the greatest extent possible.
H.B. 1180 amends current law relating to certain information included on a searchable database on the Department of Family and Protective Services' Internet website.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 42.025, Human Resources Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 42.025, as follows:
Sec. 42.025. SEARCHABLE DATABASE. (a) Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to maintain on DFPS’s Internet website a searchable database that includes the name of each family home registered or listed under this chapter that previously had a registration or listing involuntarily suspended or revoked under this chapter with a permanent notation indicating the involuntary suspension or revocation and the year in which the suspension or revocation took effect or was final under Section 42.072 (License, Listing, or Registration Denial, Suspension, or Revocation).
(b) Authorizes the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2. Requires DFPS, not later than December 31, 2015, to include in a searchable database the information required by Section 42.025, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.