| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The Department of Family and Protective Services, Department of Public Safety, and Office of Court Administration do not anticipate any significant fiscal impacts as a result of complying with the provisions of the bill.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
5/22/15 Update:
This bill is substantively
the same as when we reported on it in its original chamber. We continue to remain neutral. The second chamber sponsor is Representative Dutton.
Original chamber analysis
below:
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) currently utilize a tool called the Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) to locate children who DFPS is unable to locate during an investigation of child abuse and neglect. Current law limits DFPS use of CSCAL to the investigation phase. This legislation would allow the tool to be used in subsequent phases and would allow the tool to also be used to locate other family members relevant to the case.
Extending the utilization of the Child Safety Check Alert List to help ensure the safety of children may help to more efficiently track down a child or the parent, family member, conservator, or guardian of a child relevant to an investigation related to a case of child abuse or suspected child abuse. However, any increased efficiency that may be provided by this bill is purely speculative. Without further evidence, and without a full picture of how this bill would strike an appropriate balance by protecting parental rights, there is no principled basis for us to either support or oppose this legislation. We remain neutral.