Texas 2023 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3765 Comm Sub / Bill

Filed 05/02/2023

                    88R13735 AMF-D
 By: Bucy H.B. No. 3765


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the establishment of a supply of luggage by the
 Department of Family and Protective Services for the transport of
 the personal belongings of a foster child.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
 amended by adding Section 264.1078 to read as follows:
 Sec. 264.1078.  LUGGAGE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN. (a) In this
 section, "luggage" means a suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or
 similar container designed to hold an individual's personal
 belongings.
 (b)  The department shall:
 (1)  establish and maintain a decentralized supply of
 luggage to be used to transport a foster child's personal
 belongings; and
 (2)  develop procedures for the storage and
 distribution of luggage to ensure the maximum number of children
 are able to use the luggage.
 (c)  The department shall provide luggage to a child who is
 being removed from the child's home or changing placement.
 (d)  The department shall maintain a record of each time a
 trash bag is used to move a foster child's personal belongings. The
 record must include the reason the department did not provide the
 child with appropriate luggage to move the child's personal
 belongings.
 (e)  The department shall submit an annual report to the
 legislature that includes a summary of:
 (1)  the number of times a trash bag was used to
 transport a foster child's personal belongings and the reasons the
 department failed to provide the child with appropriate luggage;
 and
 (2)  the department's supply inventory and inventory
 management practices for the luggage supply maintained under
 Subsection (b).
 (f)  The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
 donations of any kind and from any source for purposes of this
 section.
 SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.