Bill Caption

Relating to the collection and use of certain information relating to child abuse and neglect and the provision of prevention and early intervention services; creating an offense. 

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 687 permits use of interagency government data in predictive analytic systems to create maps and models predicting future occurrences of child abuse and neglect.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Risk modelling using data without the knowledge or consent of Texas families is invasive and will likely lead to innocent families being mapped or tracked.  Criminal justice research has debunked pre-crime prediction as intrusive and unreliable. SB 687 brings discredited  practice to bear on Texas families.

Provisions prohibiting the targeting of individuals are insufficient assurance where data is widely shared with universities and agencies that stand to benefit from the big data system the bill creates.

Even if risk modelling were not debunked psuedo-science, we are concerned that the next logical step after 'prediction' involves government agents patrolling 'high risk' neighborhoods.

For these reasons we oppose SB 687 as a violation of limited government.