BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4348

By: Phelan

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that early childhood home visiting programs serve a large population of minor parents and that minor parents often excel in such programs. While parental consent is not required for a minor parent to seek home visiting program services, service providers are encouraged to obtain consent from the parent or legal guardian of the minor prior to the minor parent's participation in parent education and home visiting programs. H.B. 4348 seeks to provide minor parents with more autonomy by allowing them to consent to enrollment in and to receive services from a home visiting program on their own behalf.

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. 4348 amends the Government Code to authorize an individual younger than 18 years of age to consent to enrollment in and to receive services from a home visiting program if the individual is otherwise eligible for the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.