By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 4124       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a foster children's bill of rights.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 263.008(b), Family Code, is amended by   to read as follows:          (b)  It   is the policy of this state that each child in foster   care be informed of the child's rights provided by state or federal   law or policy that relate to:                (1)  abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, and   harassment, which includes discrimination and harassment based on   gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, national   origin, disability, medical problems or sexual orientation;                (2)  food, clothing, shelter, and education;                (3)  medical, dental, vision, and mental health   services, including the right of the child to consent to treatment;                (4)  emergency behavioral intervention, including what   methods are permitted, the conditions under which it may be used,   and the precautions that must be taken when administering it;                (5)  placement with the child's siblings and contact   with members of the child's family;                (6)  privacy and searches, including the use of storage   space, mail, and the telephone;                (7)  participation in school-related extracurricular   or community activities;                (8)  interaction with persons outside the foster care   system, including teachers, church members, mentors, and friends;                (9)  contact and communication with caseworkers,   attorneys ad litem, guardians ad litem, and court-appointed special   advocates;                (10)  the freedom to choose a religion or attend   religious services and activities of the child's choosing, which   includes the choice not to practice a religion;                (11)  confidentiality of the child's records;                (12)  job skills, personal finances, and preparation   for adulthood;                (13)  participation in a court hearing that involves   the child;                (14)  participation in the development of service and   treatment plans;                (15)  if the child has a disability, the advocacy and   protection of the rights of a person with that disability; and                (16)  any other matter affecting the child's ability to   receive care and treatment in the least restrictive environment   that is most like a family setting, consistent with the best   interests and needs of the child.          SECTION 2.  Section 42.042, Human Resources Code, is amended   by adding Subsection (s) to read as follows:          (s)  The department may not make a rule that:                (1)  discriminates based on gender, gender identity,   race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, medical   problems, or sexual orientation, or                (2)  limits a foster child's rights to choose a   religion, or attend religious services or activities of the child's   choosing, which includes the choice not to practice a religion.          SECTION 3.  Section 263.008(h), Family Code, is repealed.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.