Rep. Isaac Gets Passage On Protection Of Foster Children And Emergency Services District Transparency

“I’m thankful to our Hays County District Attorney, Wes Mau for bringing this issue to my attention and for his role in protecting children in foster care from abuse.”

Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) successfully passed House Bill 2283, which seeks to close a loophole leaving some foster children vulnerable to improper relationships.

“There is a statewide movement to reform our CPS and foster care system, and I’m honored that my bill plays a small role in that movement,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday. “I’m thankful to our Hays County district attorney for bringing this issue to my attention and for his role in protecting children in foster care from abuse.”

Under current state law, improper relationships between employees of certain residential facilities and its residents can be prosecuted as sexual assault. This includes nursing homes, adult day cares, group homes for the mentally disabled, pediatric extended care centers, and similar facilities. Unfortunately, foster group homes were left out.

In other words, there is currently no recourse to prosecute a Department of Family and Protective Services employee who engaged in an improper relationship with a foster child above the age of consent.

“I’d like to thank Rep. Isaac for his work to help protect the vulnerable patients in these facilities from those who would otherwise be inclined to take advantage of them,” said Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau.

HB 2283 has been sent to the Texas Senate for consideration, where it must be passed before the legislation can be signed into law by the governor.

Additionally, Isaac was also successful on passing House Bill 1510, which transfers oversight of emergency services district (ESD) annual reports from the Texas Department of Agriculture to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. It also requires that the reports be published online for the taxpayers to view.

“Public information about ESDs has historically been difficult for the public to find — even by the districts’ own commissioners,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday. “I’m confident that both emergency service personnel and taxpayers will be better served by annual reports residing with a state agency more closely tied to ESDs’ mission of public safety and emergency management.”

ESDs are special taxing districts that provide fire or EMS services. Their annual reports were originally the purview of the Office of Rural Community Affairs, which was later absorbed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

“Transparent and responsible use of taxpayer dollars is one of my top priorities, and HB 1510 seeks to improve the public’s access to information about their taxing districts,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday.

HB 1510 has been sent to the Texas Senate for consideration, where it must be passed before the legislation can be signed into law by the governor.