Bill Text: TX HB2837 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to authorization agreements between a parent and a relative or other person for the care and custody of the parent's child and an exemption from a licensing requirement; authorizing a fee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-08 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB2837 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB2837-Comm_Sub.html
  84R24497 YDB-F
 
  By: King of Taylor H.B. No. 2837
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2837:
 
  By:  Dutton C.S.H.B. No. 2837
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorization agreements between a parent and a
  relative or other person for the care and custody of the parent's
  child and an exemption from a licensing requirement; authorizing a
  fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 34.001, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 34.001.  APPLICABILITY.  This chapter applies only to:
               (1)  an authorization agreement between a parent of a
  child and a person who is the child's:
                     (A)  grandparent;
                     (B)  adult sibling; or
                     (C)  adult aunt or uncle; [and]
               (2)  an authorization agreement between a parent of a
  child and the person with whom the child is placed under a parental
  child safety placement agreement; and
               (3)  an authorization agreement between a parent of a
  child and a person who is unrelated to the child with whom the child
  is placed through a qualified nonprofit organization that assists
  the parent with executing the authorization agreement.
         SECTION 2.  Section 34.0015, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 34.0015.  DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION].  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Department" means the Department of Family and
  Protective Services.
               (2)  "Parent" [, "parent"] has the meaning assigned by
  Section 101.024.
               (3)  "Qualified nonprofit organization" means a
  charitable or religious institution that is exempt from federal
  income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of
  1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that
  code, that assists a parent or legal guardian of a child with the
  process of entering into an authorization agreement under this
  chapter, including identifying an appropriate placement for each
  child subject to the agreement and providing services and resources
  to support the child, parents, and other persons authorized to
  provide temporary care of the child under the agreement.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 34.002(a) and (c), Family Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A parent or both parents of a child may enter into an
  authorization agreement with a relative of the child or other
  person listed in Section 34.001 to authorize the relative or other
  person to perform the following acts in regard to the child:
               (1)  to authorize medical, dental, psychological, or
  surgical treatment and immunization of the child, including
  executing any consents or authorizations for the release of
  information as required by law relating to the treatment or
  immunization;
               (2)  to obtain and maintain health insurance coverage
  for the child and automobile insurance coverage for the child, if
  appropriate;
               (3)  to enroll the child in a day-care program or
  preschool or in a public or private primary or secondary school;
               (4)  to authorize the child to participate in
  age-appropriate extracurricular, civic, social, or recreational
  activities, including athletic activities;
               (5)  to authorize the child to obtain a learner's
  permit, driver's license, or state-issued identification card;
               (6)  to authorize employment of the child; and
               (7)  to apply for and receive public benefits on behalf
  of the child.
         (c)  An authorization agreement under this chapter does not
  confer on a relative of the child or other person listed in Section
  34.001 or a relative or other person with whom the child is placed
  under a child safety placement agreement the right to consent to the
  marriage or adoption of the child, consent to the termination of
  parental rights to the child, or authorize the performance of an
  abortion on the child or the administration of emergency
  contraception to the child.
         SECTION 4.  Chapter 34, Family Code, is amended by adding
  Sections 34.0022, 34.0023, and 34.0024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 34.0022.  AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARENT AND
  NONRELATIVE. (a)  A parent may enter into an authorization
  agreement with a person who is not a relative of the parent's child
  only if the authorization agreement is entered into with the
  assistance of a qualified nonprofit organization in accordance with
  this chapter. Except as provided by Section 34.0024(b), this
  subsection does not apply to a parent whose child is the subject of
  an ongoing department investigation of child abuse or neglect or to
  whom the department is providing services.
         (b)  An authorization agreement executed under this section
  expires on the first anniversary of the date the agreement is
  executed unless an earlier date is specified in the agreement.  The
  parties to the agreement may execute a subsequent authorization
  agreement if necessary.
         (c)  A parent or other legal guardian of a child may revoke or
  withdraw an authorization agreement at any time.
         Sec. 34.0023.  EFFECT ON PARENTAL RIGHTS.  A parent's
  execution of an authorization agreement under this chapter does
  not, without other evidence, constitute abandonment or child abuse
  or neglect.
         Sec. 34.0024.  SERVICES OF QUALIFIED NONPROFIT
  ORGANIZATION. (a)  For each request received by a qualified
  nonprofit organization to assist a parent and a person who is not
  related to the parent's child with entering into an authorization
  agreement and placement of a child under this chapter, the
  qualified nonprofit organization shall:
               (1)  for each person to whom powers are delegated under
  the agreement and for each person age 14 or older who resides in the
  home, ensure that:
                     (A)  a criminal history background check is
  conducted through the Department of Public Safety as authorized
  under Section 411.1411, Government Code;
                     (B)  a fingerprint-based criminal history check
  is conducted through the Department of Public Safety and the
  Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
                     (C)  an abuse or neglect registry check is
  conducted by the department for the in-state registry and by the
  organization for any applicable out-of-state registry;
               (2)  ensure that each person providing care for a child
  under an authorization agreement authorized by this chapter is
  trained in the rights, duties, and limitations regarding providing
  care for a child under an authorization agreement as provided in
  this chapter; and
               (3)  notify the department of the request and verify
  that the department does not have an open investigation of child
  abuse or neglect involving the child or parent or is not otherwise
  providing services to the parent.
         (b)  If the department has an open investigation of abuse and
  neglect related to the child or is providing services to the parent,
  the department must approve the authorization agreement before the
  agreement may take effect.
         (c)  If the department does not have an open investigation
  involving the child or parent or is not otherwise providing
  services to the parent, department approval of the agreement is not
  required and the department may not open an investigation based
  solely on receiving the notification required by Subsection (a)(3).
  This subsection does not prohibit the department from opening an
  investigation under Chapter 261.
         (d)  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission by rule shall establish a fee for the
  department to charge for each abuse or neglect registry check
  conducted by the department for a qualified nonprofit organization
  under this section. The fee must be in an amount sufficient for the
  department to recover the costs to the department of conducting the
  registry check under this section.
         SECTION 5.  Section 34.003, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 34.003.  CONTENTS OF AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT. (a)  The
  authorization agreement must contain:
               (1)  the following information from the relative of the
  child or other person to whom the parent is giving authorization:
                     (A)  the name and signature of the relative or
  other person;
                     (B)  the relative's or other person's relationship
  to the child; and
                     (C)  the relative's or other person's current
  physical address and telephone number or the best way to contact the
  relative or other person;
               (2)  the following information from the parent:
                     (A)  the name and signature of the parent; and
                     (B)  the parent's current address and telephone
  number or the best way to contact the parent;
               (3)  the information in Subdivision (2) with respect to
  the other parent, if applicable;
               (4)  a statement that the relative or other person has
  been given authorization to perform the functions listed in Section
  34.002(a) as a result of a voluntary action of the parent and that
  the relative or other person has voluntarily assumed the
  responsibility of performing those functions;
               (5)  statements that neither the parent nor the
  relative or other person has knowledge that a parent, guardian,
  custodian, licensed child-placing agency, or other authorized
  agency asserts any claim or authority inconsistent with the
  authorization agreement under this chapter with regard to actual
  physical possession or care, custody, or control of the child;
               (6)  statements that:
                     (A)  to the best of the parent's and relative's or
  other person's knowledge:
                           (i)  there is no court order or pending suit
  affecting the parent-child relationship concerning the child;
                           (ii)  there is no pending litigation in any
  court concerning:
                                 (a)  custody, possession, or placement
  of the child; or
                                 (b)  access to or visitation with the
  child; and
                           (iii)  the court does not have continuing
  jurisdiction concerning the child; or
                     (B)  the court with continuing jurisdiction
  concerning the child has given written approval for the execution
  of the authorization agreement accompanied by the following
  information:
                           (i)  the county in which the court is
  located;
                           (ii)  the number of the court; and
                           (iii)  the cause number in which the order
  was issued or the litigation is pending;
               (7)  a statement that to the best of the parent's and
  relative's or other person's knowledge there is no current, valid
  authorization agreement regarding the child;
               (8)  a statement that the authorization is made in
  conformance with this chapter;
               (9)  a statement that the parent and the relative or
  other person understand that each party to the authorization
  agreement is required by law to immediately provide to each other
  party information regarding any change in the party's address or
  contact information;
               (10)  a statement by the parent that establishes the
  circumstances under which the authorization agreement expires,
  including that the authorization agreement:
                     (A)  is valid until revoked;
                     (B)  continues in effect after the death or during
  any incapacity of the parent; or
                     (C)  expires on a date stated in the authorization
  agreement; [and]
               (11)  if the authorization agreement is executed with
  the assistance of a qualified nonprofit organization, the following
  information:
                     (A)  the organization's name, tax identification
  number, and current physical address and telephone number; and
                     (B)  the name and signature of the individual
  authorized to act on behalf of the organization; and
               (12)  space for the signature and seal of a notary
  public.
         (b)  The authorization agreement must contain the following
  warnings and disclosures:
               (1)  that the authorization agreement is an important
  legal document;
               (2)  that the parent and the relative or other person
  must read all of the warnings and disclosures before signing the
  authorization agreement;
               (3)  that the persons signing the authorization
  agreement are not required to consult an attorney but are advised to
  do so;
               (4)  that the parent's rights as a parent may be
  adversely affected by placing or leaving the parent's child with
  another person;
               (5)  that the authorization agreement does not confer
  on the relative or other person the rights of a managing or
  possessory conservator or legal guardian;
               (6)  that a parent who is a party to the authorization
  agreement may terminate the authorization agreement and resume
  custody, possession, care, and control of the child on demand and
  that at any time the parent may request the return of the child;
               (7)  that failure by the relative or other person to
  return the child to the parent immediately on request may have
  criminal and civil consequences;
               (8)  that, under other applicable law, the relative or
  other person may be liable for certain expenses relating to the
  child in the relative's or other person's care but that the parent
  still retains the parental obligation to support the child;
               (9)  that, in certain circumstances, the authorization
  agreement may not be entered into without written permission of the
  court;
               (10)  that the authorization agreement may be
  terminated by certain court orders affecting the child;
               (11)  that the authorization agreement does not
  supersede, invalidate, or terminate any prior authorization
  agreement regarding the child;
               (12)  that the authorization agreement is void if a
  prior authorization agreement regarding the child is in effect and
  has not expired or been terminated;
               (13)  that, except as provided by Section 34.005(a-1),
  the authorization agreement is void unless:
                     (A)  the parties mail a copy of the authorization
  agreement by certified mail, return receipt requested, or
  international registered mail, return receipt requested, as
  applicable, to a parent who was not a party to the authorization
  agreement, if the parent is living and the parent's parental rights
  have not been terminated, not later than the 10th day after the date
  the authorization agreement is signed; and
                     (B)  if the parties do not receive a response from
  the parent who is not a party to the authorization agreement before
  the 20th day after the date the copy of the authorization agreement
  is mailed under Paragraph (A), the parties mail a second copy of the
  authorization agreement by first class mail or international first
  class mail, as applicable, to the parent not later than the 45th day
  after the date the authorization agreement is signed; and
               (14)  that the authorization agreement does not confer
  on a relative of the child or other person the right to consent to
  the marriage or adoption of the child, consent to termination of the
  parental rights of the child, or authorize the performance of an
  abortion on the child or the administration of emergency
  contraception to the child.
         SECTION 6.  Section 34.004(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The authorization agreement must be signed and sworn to
  before a notary public by:
               (1)  the parent;
               (2)  [and] the relative or other person who is granted
  authority to care for the child under the authorization agreement;
  and
               (3)  if the authorization agreement is executed with
  the assistance of a qualified nonprofit organization, a
  representative of the organization.
         SECTION 7.  Section 34.007(b), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The authorization agreement does not affect the rights
  of the child's parent or legal guardian regarding the care,
  custody, and control of the child, and does not mean that the
  relative or other person has legal custody of the child.
         SECTION 8.  Section 34.008(c), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  An authorization agreement under this chapter
  terminates on written revocation by a party to the authorization
  agreement if the party:
               (1)  gives each party written notice of the revocation;
               (2)  files the written revocation with the clerk of the
  county in which:
                     (A)  the child resides;
                     (B)  the child resided at the time the
  authorization agreement was executed; or
                     (C)  the relative or other person resides; and
               (3)  files the written revocation with the clerk of
  each court:
                     (A)  that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction
  over the child;
                     (B)  in which there is a court order or pending
  suit affecting the parent-child relationship concerning the child;
                     (C)  in which there is pending litigation
  concerning:
                           (i)  custody, possession, or placement of
  the child; or
                           (ii)  access to or visitation with the
  child; or
                     (D)  that has entered an order regarding the
  appointment of a guardian for the child under Subchapter B, Chapter
  1104, Estates [Section 676, Texas Probate] Code.
         SECTION 9.  Section 261.002(b), Family Code, as amended by
  S.B. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to
  carry out this section. The rules shall provide for cooperation
  with local child service agencies, including hospitals, clinics,
  [and] schools, and qualified nonprofit organizations as defined by
  Section 34.0015, and cooperation with other states in exchanging
  reports to effect a national registration system.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.1411 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.1411.  ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
  INFORMATION: QUALIFIED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING
  ASSISTANCE WITH AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENTS.  (a)  In this section,
  "qualified nonprofit organization" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 34.0015, Family Code.
         (b)  A qualified nonprofit organization is entitled to
  obtain from the department criminal history record information
  maintained by the department that relates to a person who is an
  employee, employment applicant, volunteer, or volunteer applicant
  of the organization.
         (c)  The department may adopt rules governing the
  administration of this section.
         (d)  A qualified nonprofit organization may use the criminal
  history record information obtained under this section only to
  determine the suitability of a person for a position as an employee
  of or volunteer with the organization. 
         (e)  Criminal history record information obtained under this
  section may not be released or disclosed to any person except in a
  criminal proceeding, on court order, or with the consent of the
  person who is the subject of the criminal history record
  information.
         SECTION 11.  Section 42.041(b), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  This section does not apply to:
               (1)  a state-operated facility;
               (2)  an agency foster home or agency foster group home;
               (3)  a facility that is operated in connection with a
  shopping center, business, religious organization, or
  establishment where children are cared for during short periods
  while parents or persons responsible for the children are attending
  religious services, shopping, or engaging in other activities,
  including retreats or classes for religious instruction, on or near
  the premises, that does not advertise as a child-care facility or
  day-care center, and that informs parents that it is not licensed by
  the state;
               (4)  a school or class for religious instruction that
  does not last longer than two weeks and is conducted by a religious
  organization during the summer months;
               (5)  a youth camp licensed by the Department of State
  Health Services;
               (6)  a facility licensed, operated, certified, or
  registered by another state agency;
               (7)  an educational facility that is accredited by the
  Texas Education Agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and
  Schools, or an accreditation body that is a member of the Texas
  Private School Accreditation Commission and that operates
  primarily for educational purposes for prekindergarten and above, a
  before-school or after-school program operated directly by an
  accredited educational facility, or a before-school or
  after-school program operated by another entity under contract with
  the educational facility, if the Texas Education Agency, the
  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or the other
  accreditation body, as applicable, has approved the curriculum
  content of the before-school or after-school program operated under
  the contract;
               (8)  an educational facility that operates solely for
  educational purposes for prekindergarten through at least grade
  two, that does not provide custodial care for more than one hour
  during the hours before or after the customary school day, and that
  is a member of an organization that promulgates, publishes, and
  requires compliance with health, safety, fire, and sanitation
  standards equal to standards required by state, municipal, and
  county codes;
               (9)  a kindergarten or preschool educational program
  that is operated as part of a public school or a private school
  accredited by the Texas Education Agency, that offers educational
  programs through grade six, and that does not provide custodial
  care during the hours before or after the customary school day;
               (10)  a family home, whether registered or listed;
               (11)  an educational facility that is integral to and
  inseparable from its sponsoring religious organization or an
  educational facility both of which do not provide custodial care
  for more than two hours maximum per day, and that offers an
  educational program in one or more of the following:  
  prekindergarten through at least grade three, elementary grades, or
  secondary grades;
               (12)  an emergency shelter facility, other than a
  facility that would otherwise require a license as a child-care
  facility under this section, that provides shelter or care to a
  minor and the minor's child or children, if any, under Section
  32.201, Family Code, if the facility:
                     (A)  is currently under a contract with a state or
  federal agency; or
                     (B)  meets the requirements listed under Section
  51.005(b)(3);
               (13)  a juvenile detention facility certified under
  Section 51.12, Family Code, a juvenile correctional facility
  certified under Section 51.125, Family Code, a juvenile facility
  providing services solely for the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or any other correctional facility for children
  operated or regulated by another state agency or by a political
  subdivision of the state;
               (14)  an elementary-age (ages 5-13) recreation program
  operated by a municipality provided the governing body of the
  municipality annually adopts standards of care by ordinance after a
  public hearing for such programs, that such standards are provided
  to the parents of each program participant, and that the ordinances
  shall include, at a minimum, staffing ratios, minimum staff
  qualifications, minimum facility, health, and safety standards,
  and mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the adopted local
  standards; and further provided that parents be informed that the
  program is not licensed by the state and the program may not be
  advertised as a child-care facility;
               (15)  an annual youth camp held in a municipality with a
  population of more than 1.5 million that operates for not more than
  three months and that has been operated for at least 10 years by a
  nonprofit organization that provides care for the homeless;
               (16)  a food distribution program that:
                     (A)  serves an evening meal to children two years
  of age or older; and
                     (B)  is operated by a nonprofit food bank in a
  nonprofit, religious, or educational facility for not more than two
  hours a day on regular business days;
               (17)  a child-care facility that operates for less than
  three consecutive weeks and less than 40 days in a period of 12
  months;
               (18)  a program:
                     (A)  in which a child receives direct instruction
  in a single skill, talent, ability, expertise, or proficiency;
                     (B)  that does not provide services or offerings
  that are not directly related to the single talent, ability,
  expertise, or proficiency;
                     (C)  that does not advertise or otherwise
  represent that the program is a child-care facility, day-care
  center, or licensed before-school or after-school program or that
  the program offers child-care services;
                     (D)  that informs the parent or guardian:
                           (i)  that the program is not licensed by the
  state; and
                           (ii)  about the physical risks a child may
  face while participating in the program; and
                     (E)  that conducts background checks for all
  program employees and volunteers who work with children in the
  program using information that is obtained from the Department of
  Public Safety;
               (19)  an elementary-age (ages 5-13) recreation program
  that:
                     (A)  adopts standards of care, including
  standards relating to staff ratios, staff training, health, and
  safety;
                     (B)  provides a mechanism for monitoring and
  enforcing the standards and receiving complaints from parents of
  enrolled children;
                     (C)  does not advertise as or otherwise represent
  the program as a child-care facility, day-care center, or licensed
  before-school or after-school program or that the program offers
  child-care services;
                     (D)  informs parents that the program is not
  licensed by the state;
                     (E)  is organized as a nonprofit organization or
  is located on the premises of a participant's residence;
                     (F)  does not accept any remuneration other than a
  nominal annual membership fee;
                     (G)  does not solicit donations as compensation or
  payment for any good or service provided as part of the program; and
                     (H)  conducts background checks for all program
  employees and volunteers who work with children in the program
  using information that is obtained from the Department of Public
  Safety;
               (20)  a living arrangement in a caretaker's home
  involving one or more children or a sibling group, excluding
  children who are related to the caretaker, in which the caretaker:
                     (A)  had a prior relationship with the child or
  sibling group or other family members of the child or sibling group;
                     (B)  does not care for more than one unrelated
  child or sibling group;
                     (C)  does not receive compensation or solicit
  donations for the care of the child or sibling group; and
                     (D)  has a written agreement with the parent to
  care for the child or sibling group;
               (21)  a living arrangement in a caretaker's home
  involving one or more children or a sibling group, excluding
  children who are related to the caretaker, in which:
                     (A)  the department is the managing conservator of
  the child or sibling group;
                     (B)  the department placed the child or sibling
  group in the caretaker's home; and
                     (C)  the caretaker had a long-standing and
  significant relationship with the child or sibling group before the
  child or sibling group was placed with the caretaker;
               (22)  a living arrangement in a caretaker's home
  involving one or more children or a sibling group, excluding
  children who are related to the caretaker, in which the child is in
  the United States on a time-limited visa under the sponsorship of
  the caretaker or of a sponsoring organization; [or]
               (23)  a facility operated by a nonprofit organization
  that:
                     (A)  does not otherwise operate as a child-care
  facility that is required to be licensed under this section;
                     (B)  provides emergency shelter and care for not
  more than 15 days to children 13 years of age or older but younger
  than 18 years of age who are victims of human trafficking alleged
  under Section 20A.02, Penal Code;
                     (C)  is located in a municipality with a
  population of at least 600,000 that is in a county on an
  international border; and
                     (D)  meets one of the following criteria:
                           (i)  is licensed by, or operates under an
  agreement with, a state or federal agency to provide shelter and
  care to children; or
                           (ii)  meets the eligibility requirements for
  a contract under Section 51.005(b)(3); or
               (24)  a living arrangement in a caretaker's home
  involving one or more children or a sibling group, excluding
  children who are related to the caretaker, in which the caretaker:
                     (A)  is a volunteer host family for a qualified
  nonprofit organization, as defined by Section 34.0015, Family Code;
                     (B)  has a written authorization agreement with
  the parent of the child or sibling group to care for each child or
  sibling group;
                     (C)  does not care for more than six children; and
                     (D)  does not receive compensation for the care of
  a child or sibling group.
         SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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