Legislators call on Governor Abbott to declare CPS and foster care "emergency items"
Momentum is gathering ever stronger for the Texas Legislature to firmly tackle the crisis situations at Child Protective Services and Texas' foster care system! In the past week, two legislators requested that Governor Greg Abbott declare CPS and foster care to be "emergency items" in the 2017 Texas Legislative Session: Representative Jeff Leach of Plano on December 1, and Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chair Charles Schwertner on December 7.
"Emergency item" is a very important designation. Normally, no bill can come to the floor of the House or Senate for debate and passage during the first 60 days of the 140-day session. But emergency items, which must be declared by the governor, can be taken up earlier than 60 days. Abused and neglected Texas children cannot wait until the session ends in June - they need help immediately, and this designation would make that possible.
Rep. Leach's open letter to Governor Abbott may be read by clicking here.
Chairman Schwertner's press release may be read by clicking here.
