AUSTIN, Texas — Children in the Texas foster care system tend to move from home to home until they find their forever family. And it's not uncommon to see these children carry their belongings in a trash bag when they move.
Now a Texas House bill moving through the Legislature aims to make sure children in the foster care system have more than just a garbage bag to carry their personal belongings.
House Bill 3765 would require the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to maintain a supply of luggage to be used to transport foster children's belongings. The DFPS would be required to provide a duffel bag or backpack to any child being removed from their home, and to provide a new bag if the child moves again and no longer has their old one.
Once the luggage is given to a child, it cannot be taken by the DFPS or a foster guardian.
HB 3765 would also require caseworkers to document and explain each time a trash bag is used for a child's belongings. Under the bill, the DFPS would be required to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing the number of times a trash bag was used to transport a child's belongings and the reason why, and the department's luggage inventory and management practices.
The bill passed the Texas House on May 9 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, where it was considered in a public hearing on Monday.
If the bill finds its way to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk and is signed into law, it would take effect on Sept. 1.