BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1528 89R9600 RAL-F By: West Health & Human Services 4/16/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) employees often see their personal propertyphones, laptops, bags, even vehiclesdamaged by disgruntled parents or foster children. Given that the price to replace most smart phones is $1,000 and above, and most DFPS caseworkers make under $50,000 per year, destruction of property of a DFPS worker by a ward of the state or parent is a significant burden for the employee. S.B. 1528 will allow DFPS to reimburse employees whose personal property is damaged during the course of their official duties by a client of the agency. As proposed, S.B. 1528 amends current law relating to reimbursing employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services for loss of or damage to personal property. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 40.084, as follows: Sec. 40.084. REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOST OR DAMAGED PERSONAL PROPERTY. Authorizes the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), using existing resources, to reimburse a present or former employee of DFPS for loss of or damage to personal property caused by a client of DFPS in the course and scope of the employee's duties. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1528
89R9600 RAL-F By: West
Health & Human Services
4/16/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1528
89R9600 RAL-F
By: West
Health & Human Services
4/16/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) employees often see their personal propertyphones, laptops, bags, even vehiclesdamaged by disgruntled parents or foster children.
Given that the price to replace most smart phones is $1,000 and above, and most DFPS caseworkers make under $50,000 per year, destruction of property of a DFPS worker by a ward of the state or parent is a significant burden for the employee.
S.B. 1528 will allow DFPS to reimburse employees whose personal property is damaged during the course of their official duties by a client of the agency.
As proposed, S.B. 1528 amends current law relating to reimbursing employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services for loss of or damage to personal property.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 40.084, as follows:
Sec. 40.084. REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOST OR DAMAGED PERSONAL PROPERTY. Authorizes the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), using existing resources, to reimburse a present or former employee of DFPS for loss of or damage to personal property caused by a client of DFPS in the course and scope of the employee's duties.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.