Bill Text: TX HB5044 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 5044

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to communicating the foster children's bill of rights to a child and a process for reporting violations to the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-23 - Referred to Human Services [HB5044 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB5044-Introduced.html

	88R14638 BDP-F

	By: Garcia	H.B. No. 5044



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to communicating the foster children's bill of rights to a
	child and a process for reporting violations to the Department of
	Family and Protective Services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Sections 263.008(c) and (g), Family Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(c) The department shall provide a written copy of the
	foster children's bill of rights to each child placed in foster care
	in the child's primary language, if possible, and shall inform the
	child of the rights described by the foster children's bill of
	rights:
	(1) orally in the child's primary language, if
	possible, and in simple, nontechnical terms that are
	developmentally appropriate and can reasonably be expected to
	result in successful communication with the child based on the
	child's age and development; [or]
	(2) in writing in a manner that is developmentally
	appropriate and utilizes language in a manner that can reasonably
	be expected to result in successful communication with the child
	based on the child's age and development; or
	(3) for a child who has a disability, including an
	impairment of vision or hearing, through any means that can
	reasonably be expected to result in successful communication with
	the child.
	(g) The department shall develop and implement a policy for
	receiving and handling reports that the rights of a child in foster
	care are not being observed. The department shall inform a child in
	foster care and, if appropriate, the child's parent, managing
	conservator, or guardian of the method for filing a report with the
	department under this subsection. Information provided to a child
	under this subsection must be communicated orally and in writing in
	a manner that is developmentally appropriate for each child and can
	reasonably be expected to result in successful communication with
	the child based on the child's age and development.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.