BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2363

By: Harris

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that the minimum standards relating to safety and proper storage of firearms and ammunition in certain foster homes are too restrictive. It has been suggested that these restrictions could dissuade certain gun owners from serving as foster parents. C.S.H.B. 2363 seeks to address this issue by revising those minimum standards.

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

C.S.H.B. 2363 amends the Human Resources Code to replace the requirement that the minimum standards relating to safety and proper storage of firearms and ammunition in certain foster homes require those items to be stored separately in locked locations with a requirement for the minimum standards to allow those items to be stored together in the same locked location.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2363 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute does not include a requirement for the minimum standards to allow firearms to be stored in a locked location with a glass or other breakable front or enclosure without requiring the firearms to be secured with additional locks or other security mechanisms.