By: Harris, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Middleton)	H.B. No. 1403
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 14, 2025;
	May 19, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
	Human Services; May 23, 2025, reported favorably by the following
	vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 3; May 23, 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 firearms 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 firearms that are
	present in the home; or
	(2)  notify the child-placing agency if there is any
	change in the types of 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 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 firearms 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 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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