BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1309

By: Turner, Sylvester

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent reports contend that the rate of child deaths resulting from abuse and neglect is higher in Texas than in other states. Concerned parties emphasize that the deaths of children in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) are particularly troubling and warrant legislative priority and prompt review. H.B. 1309 seeks to increase the awareness, oversight, and review of deaths of children within the custody of DFPS by establishing notification requirements relating to the death of such a child.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1309 amends the Family Code to require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), not later than the fifth day after the date DFPS is notified of the death of a child for whom DFPS has been appointed managing conservator, to provide the following information for the child to the state senators and state representatives who represent the county in which the child's placement at the time of the child's death was located and the county in which a suit affecting the parent-child relationship involving the child is pending: the age and sex of the child, the date of death, whether the state was the managing conservator of the child at the time of the child's death, and whether the child resided with the child's parent, managing conservator, guardian, or other person entitled to possession of the child at the time of the child's death.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.