Texas House Bill HB3985

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/6/09

Caption

Relating to the liability of certain social workers who provide volunteer health care services to charitable organizations.

Impact

If enacted, HB 3985 will provide essential legal protections that may encourage more social workers to offer their services voluntarily. By mitigating concerns about potential liability, the bill aims to increase the availability of health care services in community settings, potentially benefiting low-income or under-served populations. The broader intent is to promote collaboration between social workers and charitable organizations, improving access to mental health and social services.

Summary

House Bill 3985 seeks to amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to extend liability protections to social workers who provide volunteer health care services to charitable organizations. This bill recognizes the important role that volunteer health care providers play in supporting community health initiatives, particularly through charitable organizations. The bill adds social workers to the existing category of volunteer health care providers that include various licensed medical professionals.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise regarding the scope of liability protections. Some stakeholders may voice concerns about ensuring that while protecting volunteer providers, the bill does not compromise the accountability necessary for professional standards in health care. Additionally, there might be debates concerning the definition of volunteer services and whether certain circumstances could expose social workers to risks of malpractice claims despite the protections proposed by the bill.