Texas House Bill HB4304

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/9/23

Caption

Relating to the contents of the annual child fatality report published by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Impact

If enacted, HB4304 will significantly impact how child fatalities are documented and analyzed by state agencies. By including detailed classifications of fatality causes, the bill aims to improve the accuracy and transparency of child death statistics. This could inform legislative efforts and resource allocation related to child protection services, potentially leading to better protective measures and enhanced agency accountability. The change is expected to foster an environment where child welfare issues receive more focused attention and intervention strategies can be developed based on concrete data.

Summary

House Bill 4304 focuses on enhancing the reporting requirements related to child fatalities by amending the Family Code in Texas. The bill mandates that the annual report published by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) must comprehensively capture all abuse-related and neglect-related child fatalities in Texas. This includes aggregating the fatalities based on various investigative findings as well as the cause of death when determinable. The intent is to provide a clearer picture of child deaths attributed to abuse and neglect, which will facilitate better understanding and policy-making in child welfare.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB4304 appears to be generally positive among stakeholders advocating for child welfare. Proponents see this legislation as a crucial step towards improving the systematic reporting of child fatalities, which could lead to increased state intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect. However, there may be some concerns regarding the operational implications for DFPS in terms of how they collect and manage this data, as additional bureaucratic requirements could be perceived as burdensome.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around the implementation of the new reporting standards. Critics might highlight the potential challenges faced by DFPS in meeting the enhanced data aggregation requirements, such as the need for additional training or resources. Additionally, while the bill aims to shed light on abuse and neglect cases, the concern exists that it could lead to stigmatization of families involved with child protective services, thereby affecting community perceptions and the willingness of families to engage with these supports.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Family Code

• Chapter 261. Investigation Of Report Of Child Abuse Or Neglect
  • Section: 204