Texas House Bill HB2370

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/21/11
• Introduced: 3/7/11
• Voted on by House: 5/4/11
• Refer: 3/10/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/13/11
• Report Pass: 4/19/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/19/11
• Engrossed: 5/4/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/5/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to certain notice to applicants to provide care under the permanency care assistance program.

Impact

The bill makes it explicit that individuals applying to be licensed foster homes or verified agency foster homes need to be aware of any criminal convictions that could impede their ability to obtain a license. This clarification means that certain criminal records can potentially disqualify individuals from being licensed foster caregivers, which positions this legislation as both a reinforcement of regulations and a commitment to ensuring the safety of children in foster care settings.

Summary

House Bill 2370 focuses on the procedures regarding notices that must be provided to individuals applying for foster care licenses under the permanency care assistance program. With this bill, the Department of Family and Protective Services or a licensed child-placing agency is required to inform applicants at the time of their application about the necessity of a background check, which includes a criminal history record check. This additional transparency aims to prepare applicants for the scrutiny that their background will undergo during the licensing process.

Contention

While the bill seems straightforward in its intentions, it has raised concerns about the rigidity of the criteria set for background checks and the transparency involved in notifying applicants about the specifics of disqualifying criminal convictions. Some advocacy groups may argue that this could deter potential foster parents who may have made mistakes in the past but are otherwise suitable caregivers. Thus, while the bill aims to enhance child safety through careful monitoring of caretakers, it also presents the risk of limiting the pool of potential caregivers unnecessarily.