TheTexas state government is responsible for approximately 17,000 foster children . More specifically, the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS)—is charged with protecting these children from abuse and neglect. Last year a bill of rights for these young citizens of Texas failed to pass the legislature, so now the agency charged with protecting them is bypassing the politicians in order to guarantee these children some rights.
SB 805 passed during the last legislative session but in the House (HB 1752) the identical bill was left pending in committee. And there it died. House State Representative Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, herself a foster parent, took issue with two of the provisions in the bill and it was derailed.
It's great that the agency is taking matters into their own hands to ensure their clients are granted rights, but shouldn't the entity that created the agency ensure the rights of its own citizens/future voters? According to State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, and the author of the House bill, the bill of rights would have been stronger as a law than just a rule from a state agency.
These poor children have had everything taken from them, their homes, families, and now we want to keep from gauranteeing rights? This should have been a no-brainer for legislators.
This article is worth reading because these kids matter. What they are entitled to is no more or less than you would expect for yourself and/or your own children. They need a voice, a set of expectations for their care and some recourse if they are not cared for properly. Afterall, our tax money pays for these children's foster care.
Texas drafts bill of rights for foster children
For the provisions of the bill of rights see:
Texas Legislature
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From just these articles, I'm also surprised it didn't pass. Riddle complained that foster kids would demand the right to designer jeans if it was signed. Let them demand, the bill only assured them of "receiving...adequate clothing." Foster parents are examined and determined to be responsible enough to make yes or no decisions for those placed in their care. But foster children are ripped from their homes; they deserve to know that they have rights and have somebody who will protect them.
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