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Bill

SB 1528

Relating to reimbursing employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services for loss of or damage to personal property.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by César Blanco and 2 co-sponsors

SB 1528 allows Texas DFPS to reimburse employees for personal property lost or damaged during official job duties, addressing occupational hazards in child welfare work.

Not again placed on intent calendar
#family&protectiveservices #departmentof(v0461) #family--childprotection(i0351) #propertyinterests--personalproperty(i0600) #stateagencies #boards&commissions(i0749) #stateemployees(i0626)
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Bill Summary · SB 1528

Legislative bill overview

SB 1528 authorizes the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse employees for personal property that is lost or damaged while performing their official duties. The bill establishes a mechanism for DFPS workers to recover costs associated with job-related damage to personal belongings.

Why is this important

DFPS employees frequently work in high-risk environments—including homes with unsafe conditions, domestic violence situations, and child welfare investigations—where personal property damage is a realistic occupational hazard. Without reimbursement authority, workers currently bear these costs themselves, which may discourage qualified candidates from employment and creates an inequitable burden on public servants in dangerous roles.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and limits unclear: The bill lacks specific details on reimbursement caps, approval processes, or what qualifies as "damage," potentially creating administrative uncertainty and disputes over claim validity
  • Fiscal impact and precedent: Establishing reimbursement for one agency could trigger similar requests from other state departments with hazardous work environments, creating broader budget implications
  • Defining causation: Determining whether damage was truly work-related versus personal negligence may be subjective and difficult to adjudicate fairly

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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