Texas Senate Bill SB1095

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to access to certain health records and information by certain individuals regarding a child placed in foster care.

Impact

The proposed changes to Section 162.0062 of the Family Code emphasize the importance of health information transparency in foster care situations. By amending existing law to explicitly define the rights of foster and adoptive parents to access these records, SB1095 enhances the ability of caregivers to respond adequately to the health needs of children under their care. This legislation indirectly seeks to improve outcomes for children in foster care by equipping their caregivers with pertinent health information, which may allow for timely medical decisions.

Summary

SB1095 addresses the accessibility of health records and information for certain individuals involved in the foster care system. Specifically, it grants prospective adoptive parents and foster parents the right to examine a child's health history when the child is placed in their care. This aim of the bill is to ensure that caregivers have the necessary health information that could impact the well-being and care of children, particularly those who are medically fragile and may require specific medical attention or interventions.

Contention

While SB1095 presents benefits in terms of accessibility to health information, potential points of contention could arise regarding the privacy of biological parents and the management of sensitive health data. The bill includes provisions for editing records to protect the identities of biological parents, indicating awareness of confidentiality concerns. Nevertheless, stakeholders may voice concerns about the balance between ensuring parental rights and maintaining confidential health information, particularly in sensitive cases involving medically fragile children.