Honorable James B. Frank, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1535 by Menéndez (Relating to a complaint made by a foster child or youth.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 263 of the Family Code to require notification of the outcome of certain investigations involving a child in foster care to the child. The bill would also amend Chapter 531 of the Government Code to require the foster care ombudsman to report to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) child care licensing division on any investigations completed in the preceding month. DFPS and HHSC would be required to provide written notice to the foster care ombudsman whether the agencies accepted or rejected the ombudsman's recommended corrective action and the reason for any rejection. It would also allow a child in conservatorship of DFPS served directly by DFPS or a contractor to make a complaint directly to the ombudsman. DFPS and HHSC indicated that the provisions of the bill could be implemented using existing resources. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of