LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 88TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2023

TO:
Honorable James B. Frank, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1667 by Jetton (Relating to the reporting of child abuse or neglect.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require an agency or organization receiving a report of child abuse or neglect to inform the person making the report that the person is required to provide their name and contact information. The bill would allow a professional to make a report to a community-based prevention or family preservation services provider.

According to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) the changes to section 261.103 in Family Code in bill sections 2, 4, 5, and 8 could potentially violate federal law related to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. The agency uses the professional reporting under section 261.103 related to cases of infants born with and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to comply with the federal requirements. Since this bill would allow medical professional to refer these types of  cases to other entities besides DFPS, the agency would no longer be able to comply with the federal Act. 

It is assumed any costs to DFPS could be absorbed within existing resources. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
530 Family and Protective Services, Department of
LBB Staff:
JMc, NPe, ER, AN