BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 948

By: Kolkhorst

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that prospective adoptive parents of a child placed for adoption by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) may not be aware of the right of the child's sibling to file a suit for access to the child. S.B. 948 seeks to address this issue by requiring DFPS to provide certain information regarding that right to each person seeking to adopt 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

S.B. 948 amends the Family Code to require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to provide information to each person seeking to adopt a child placed for adoption by DFPS regarding the right of a child's sibling to file a suit for access to the child. The bill authorizes DFPS to provide the information on any form or application provided to prospective adoptive parents.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.