BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3830

By: Sherman, Sr.

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many foster parents have expressed frustration with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) regarding a lack of resources and assistance needed to properly and efficiently care for their foster children, such as transportation assistance, communication methods, and visitation schedules. H.B. 3830 seeks to better identify the resources, needs, and improvement opportunities that are in the best interest of these children by providing for a study on the adequacy of resources provided to foster parents by DFPS.

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. 3830 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to conduct a study to evaluate whether DFPS provides foster parents with adequate resources to ensure the foster parents are able to comply with all of the regulations relating to providing care for a child in DFPS conservatorship. The bill requires DFPS, not later than September 1, 2020, to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.