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Bill

HB 1403

Relating to the collection and confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cody Harris and 11 co-sponsors

Texas requires child welfare agencies to collect and protect firearm information in licensed foster homes, with civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure starting September 1, 2025.

Effective on 9/1/25
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #family&protectiveservices #departmentof(v0461) #fostercare(s0064) #family--childprotection(i0351) #health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #weapons(i0887)
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Bill Summary · HB 1403

Legislative bill overview

HB 1403 requires Texas child welfare agencies to collect information about firearms in homes licensed for foster care and establishes confidentiality protections for that data. The bill also creates civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure of this firearm information.

Why is this important

Foster care placements involve vulnerable children, and firearm safety is a documented concern in home-based care settings. This legislation attempts to balance child safety assessments with privacy protections for foster families, while establishing accountability through penalties for data breaches.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. safety trade-off: Collecting detailed firearm information raises privacy concerns for foster families, even with confidentiality protections, particularly regarding government data retention and potential misuse
  • Implementation and enforcement: The practical mechanisms for data collection, storage, security standards, and civil penalty enforcement remain unclear and could vary significantly across agencies
  • Scope limitations: The bill applies only to agency foster homes, potentially excluding relative placements and private licensing entities where children also live, creating inconsistent safety measures

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

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