Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4093

Caption

Relating to the licensing of certain facilities, homes, and agencies that provide child-care services.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4093 will significantly influence how child-care services are licensed and monitored in Texas. The legislation mandates that agencies must notify the Department of Family and Protective Services about any family violence reports involving individuals associated with the child-care facilities. Furthermore, the bill facilitates the process for agencies to share background information concerning compliance issues, thus creating a more transparent system of monitoring potential risks in child-care environments. These changes are expected to enhance the safety and well-being of the children placed in these facilities by ensuring that all care providers meet strict regulatory requirements.

Summary

House Bill 4093 seeks to amend various sections of the Human Resources Code and the Family Code to streamline and enhance the licensing processes for various child-care facilities, homes, and agencies. Specifically, the bill outlines modifications to existing regulations concerning agency foster homes, specialized child-care homes, and child-placing agencies to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. It emphasizes the importance of thorough background checks for applicants seeking to operate such facilities, as well as for individuals residing in these homes. Importantly, the bill includes provisions for the oversight of family violence incidents that may occur in child-care settings, ensuring that agencies are promptly informed about relevant incidents.

Contention

While HB 4093 aims to strengthen child welfare frameworks, it has drawn some concern regarding the balancing act between regulatory compliance and the execution of services. Advocates may argue that while rigorous background checks and oversight are essential, overly stringent regulations could impede the availability of foster homes and child-care placements, potentially harming children in need of swift placements. Legal and advocacy groups may voice apprehensions about the impact of increased regulations on foster care agencies, particularly those aimed at victims of trafficking and abuse, who may require specialized care that could be misinterpreted as overregulation.

Companion Bills

TX SB1208

Relating to the licensing of certain facilities, homes, and agencies that provide child-care services.

Previously Filed As

TX HB211

Relating to the regulation of child-care facilities and registered family homes, including the provision of services to children with disabilities or special needs.

TX HB163

Relating to the licensing of child-care facilities providing care to certain unaccompanied children and the suspension of laws relating to the licensing of those facilities; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB272

Relating to the terminology used to refer to certain disabilities and to an individualized education team for purposes of determining a student's eligibility for special education services and providing those services in public schools.

TX HB2359

Relating to employee caseload limit goals for child and adult protective services and child-care licensing services and call processing goals for certain of those services.

TX HB5000

Relating to licensing and regulation of certain child-care facilities; providing penalties.

TX SB24

Relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.

TX SB1098

Relating to the rights of a parent or guardian with a child in certain child-care facilities.

TX HB3198

Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.

TX SB1473

Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.

TX HB446

Relating to the terminology used in statute to refer to intellectual disability and certain references to abolished health and human services agencies.

Similar Bills

CA AB2478

Child Care and Development Services Act: Commission on Child Care Providers.

TX SB1208

Relating to the licensing of certain facilities, homes, and agencies that provide child-care services.

TX SB1896

Relating to the provision of health and human services by the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Health and Human Services Commission.

CA AB808

Foster youth.

CO SB151

Measures to Prevent Youth from Running Away

CA AB2328

Youth Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Program Act of 2018.

CA AB2786

Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program.

CA AB1031

Youth Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Program Act of 2019.