89R13603 MM-D
By: Guerra H.B. No. 3555
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a donation registry by the
Department of Family and Protective Services for providing personal
items to children in the department's conservatorship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 264.1079 to read as follows:
Sec. 264.1079. PERSONAL BELONGINGS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN
DONATION REGISTRY. (a) The department shall establish and
maintain or contract with a third party to establish and maintain an
online registry of requested personal items for children who enter
the department's conservatorship or change placement while in the
department's conservatorship. The department shall develop
procedures for the storage and distribution of personal items
donated based on the registry.
(b) The department shall provide personal items donated
based on the registry to a child who is being removed from the
child's home or changing placement. Personal items provided to a
child under this subsection belong to the child and may not be
reclaimed by the department or retained by the child's foster
parent.
(c) The department shall submit an annual report to the
legislature that includes a summary of:
(1) the department's supply inventory and inventory
management practices for personal items donated based on the
registry; and
(2) the number of children in the department's
conservatorship provided personal items in accordance with this
section.
(d) 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, 2025.