We are now in the 89th Legislative session.  As most are aware, Building Future Families (BFF) has been working on your behalf to get a Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights passed since the 87th Legislative session.

Senator Kelly Hancock, (512-463-0109) is the author of the most recently proposed Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights. The point of contact in Senator Hancock’s office is Emma Edes.  Her email address is emma.edes@senate.texas.gov.

Building Future Families (BFF) had SOME INFLUENCE in the drafting of this proposed bill.  We were aware of the drafting, and this is our first review along with you the reader.  BFF has heard your voice and has for many years responded to your concerns. Based on survey results and national data provided by current and retired foster parents, a bill has been drafted in response to some of your concerns and issues raised.  

Texas Foster Parents NEED a Foster Parents Bill of Rights based on our local data collected. A Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights is needed to ensure foster parents can meet their own needs, the needs of the foster children placed in their TEMPORARY care, and delivery of services for the foster children. Both the foster children and foster parents need protection against physical, psychological, and emotional abuse.  Foster parents have the right to protect their entire FAMILY, HOME, and PROPERTY including the foster parent’s biological family members and the foster children while in our TEMPORARY care.

BFF’s position is NOT to take away or impede the RIGHTS of biological parents.  The sole purpose of a Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights is to protect the emotional, physical, psychological, overall safety of the foster parent and their home, their biological family, family practices and property while ensuring we deliver the services for the children placed in our TEMPORARY care.

We MUST contact the following offices with our support for the Senate Bill 2454, Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights. Your deletions, modifications, recommendations, and suggestions are welcome. Please send your respectful comments pertaining to changes, suggestions, and recommendations of the proposed Senate Bill 2454 via email to Emma Edes (emma.edes@senate.texas.gov).  Please ask to be notified of the scheduled hearing for the bill so that WE ALL can register and be heard at the hearing.  WE MUST SHOW UP and BE HEARD.  

One other major reason we cannot get a Foster Parents Bill of Rights passed in the state of Texas is because we do not show up to make our voices heard.  We must advocate for ourselves because no one else will.  YOUR VOICES ARE NEEDED during this 89th Legislative session.  Last research completed, there are seventeen other states who have passed a Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights.  Why not TEXAS?

Call to Action 

Please contact the following Congressional Representatives to express your support for Senate Bill 2454:

                  Senate

Author of the Senate Bill 2454

Senator Kelly Hancock

512-463-0109

Chair of the Committee

Senator Louis Kolkhorst

512-463-0118

                  House of Representatives

Chair of the Public Health Committee

State Representative Gary Vandeaver   

512-463-0692

Chair of the Health Service Committee

State Representative Lacey Hull

512-463-0727

Office of Bill Scheduling

State Representative Angela Orr

512-463-0600

BFF suggests calling State Representative Angela Orr (512-463-0600) as well to ensure the bill is scheduled for a hearing on both sides, House and Senate.  Also inquire on how to schedule yourself to appear at the hearing to testify.

The biggest opposition to the Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights is the FEAR that foster parents are trying to take away the rights of the biological parents.  This is NOT the purpose of a Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights.  Please make this point ABUNDANTLY clear.  BFF is NOT advocating for taking away or impeding the RIGHTS of the biological parents. BFF supports family reunification, in accordance with Federal Law, as the first and primary permanency goal. The sole purpose of a Texas Foster Parents Bill of Rights is to protect the emotional, physical, psychological, and overall safety of the foster parent and their home and their biological family and property while ensuring we receive the services of the children placed in our home.

Please feel free to email your opinions and thoughts to buildingfuturefamilies@gmail.com.  We welcome your feedback, but most importantly AUSTIN needs to hear from each of YOU, current and retired foster parents.  This is the only way the bill will be scheduled for a hearing and move through the process of getting passed during this 89th Legislative session.  This is time sensitive.