H.B. No. 1403 amends the Human Resources Code to enhance the confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes. The bill introduces several new subsections (e-6 to e-9) that prohibit the commission, the department, and child-placing agencies from requiring agency foster homes to disclose specific types of firearms present in the home or to notify them of any changes in that information. Additionally, if any agency obtains information about firearms in a foster home, it can only use that information to determine the presence of firearms, ensuring that it is not used for any other purpose.

The bill also establishes a civil penalty for child-placing agencies that violate the confidentiality provisions, with fines up to $5,000 for each violation, and allows the attorney general to take action to recover these penalties. Furthermore, it explicitly states that information regarding the types of firearms in agency foster homes is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Government Code. This legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 42.042 (Human Resources Code 42)
House Committee Report: Human Resources Code 42.042 (Human Resources Code 42)