Texas Senate Bill SB967

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the licensing of and requirements for certain child-care facilities that detain certain children.

Impact

The impact of SB967 is primarily felt in the areas of licensing and operational oversight of child-care facilities interacting with immigration enforcement. By prohibiting waivers of licensing requirements, the bill aims to uphold certain standards for child-care facilities housing detained children. This could lead to increased scrutiny and accountability for these facilities, aligning them more closely with state regulatory frameworks. Proponents of the bill argue that it is crucial to maintain high standards for the safety and well-being of children in these facilities.

Summary

SB967 is a bill that focuses on amending the licensing requirements for certain child-care facilities that detain children under the authority of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill mandates that any child-care facility operated or contracted by ICE must be subjected to standard licensing requirements without any waivers. This is an effort to ensure that facilities detaining children meet the same operational standards as other licensed child-care facilities across Texas.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise from differing perspectives on the role of detention facilities operated under immigration enforcement. Critics may argue that the bill could contribute to the normalization of child detention practices and raise ethical concerns regarding the treatment of children within those facilities. Conversely, supporters of the bill believe that it is a necessary regulatory measure to ensure that children in such facilities are treated with dignity and that their needs are adequately addressed according to established state regulations.