H.B. No. 1403 aims to enhance the confidentiality and regulation of information regarding weapons in agency foster homes in Texas. The bill introduces several new subsections to Section 42.042 of the Human Resources Code. Specifically, it prohibits the commission, department, and child-placing agencies from requiring agency foster homes to disclose the types of weapons present or to notify them of any changes in that regard. Additionally, if any agency obtains information about weapons in a foster home, it can only use that information to determine the presence of weapons, ensuring that it is not misused for other purposes.

The bill also establishes civil penalties for child-placing agencies that violate these confidentiality provisions, with fines up to $5,000 for each violation, enforceable by the attorney general. Furthermore, it designates information about the types of weapons in agency foster homes as confidential, exempting it from 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)