Texas House Bill HB1922

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to certain information to which a social study evaluator is entitled in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship; providing a criminal penalty.

Impact

The proposed amendment introduces a criminal penalty for unauthorized disclosure of the confidential information obtained from DFPS. If a person discloses such information in violation of the new section, they would commit a Class A misdemeanor. This measure underscores the sensitivity of the information handled by social study evaluators while balancing the need for thorough assessments in legal contexts concerning families and child welfare. By enhancing access to pertinent records, the bill aims to support informed decision-making in family law cases, potentially leading to better outcomes for children involved in disputes over custody or protective assessments.

Summary

House Bill 1922 introduces amendments to the Family Code concerning the rights of social study evaluators to access certain investigative records from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The bill stipulates that evaluators conducting assessments related to parent-child relationships are entitled to receive complete, unredacted records concerning any abuse or neglect investigations involving individuals living at a residence subject to evaluation. This legal provision aims to enhance the evaluators' ability to assess the safety and well-being of children in these cases by providing them with comprehensive information necessary for their studies.

Contention

While the bill's provisions are designed to streamline the process of gathering necessary information for social study evaluators, it may raise concerns regarding privacy and the protection of sensitive family data. Opponents of similar measures often argue that increased access to confidential records could lead to unintended consequences, such as breaches of privacy or misuse of sensitive information. The legislation requires careful scrutiny to ensure that while evaluators have the information needed to protect children’s interests, the privacy rights of families are also respectably upheld.