By: Middleton S.B. No. 1524
(In the Senate - Filed February 21, 2025; March 6, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human
Services; April 14, 2025, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 6, Nays 3; April 14, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the collection and confidentiality of information
regarding weapons in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.042, Human Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subsections (e-6), (e-7), (e-8), and (e-9) to read as
follows:
(e-6) The commission, the department, and a child-placing
agency that contracts with the department may not require an agency
foster home to:
(1) disclose the specific types of weapons, including
firearms, that are present in the home; or
(2) notify the child-placing agency if there is any
change in the types of weapons, including firearms, that are
present in the home.
(e-7) If the commission, the department, or a child-placing
agency that contracts with the department has or obtains
information relating to the types of weapons, including firearms,
that are present in an agency foster home, the commission,
department, or child-placing agency may not use that information
for any purpose other than determining whether there are weapons
present in the home.
(e-8) A child-placing agency that violates Subsection (e-7)
is liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed
$5,000 for each violation. The attorney general may bring an action
to recover a civil penalty authorized under this subsection.
(e-9) Information relating to the types of weapons,
including firearms, that are present in an agency foster home is
confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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