DFPS foster or adoptive parents may keep weapons, firearms, explosive materials, and projectiles (such as darts or arrows) in the home if they meet the following requirements. 

Storage

Foster or adoptive parents must keep weapons, firearms, explosive materials, projectiles, or ammunition in locked storage when not in use to ensure that a child does not have unsupervised access to them. The locked storage must be made of strong, unbreakable material.

When determining if these items are stored adequately, the FAD worker must consider the age, history, emotional maturity, and background of any children placed in the home.

Firearms that are inoperable and solely ornamental are exempt from the storage requirements in this policy. The FAD worker must document how the firearm is inoperable. If operability is questionable, the FAD worker requires the foster or adoptive parents to keep the firearm in locked storage.

Usage

Foster or adoptive parents may allow a child to use a weapon, firearm, explosive material, or projectile only if both of the following are true:

• Before usage, the service planning team assesses whether it is appropriate for the child to use the item, documents the assessment in the child’s plan of service, and approves the use of the item.
• During usage, an adult knowledgeable about the use of the particular item directly supervises the child using it.

A child’s use of a weapon, firearm, explosive material, or projectile must follow 6451 Hunting and the Texas Administrative Code, Section 749.2605External Link (reasonable and prudent parent standard).

Notification

Foster or adoptive parents must notify their FAD worker if there is a change in the type of or an addition to weapons, firearms, explosive materials, or projectiles that are on the property. The FAD worker must document any changes during supervisory visits using Form 2056 Foster Care and Adoption Supervisory Visit Documentation [sic, intranet link]PDF DocumentExternal Link and on every FAD home evaluation in IMPACT.

Toys that Explode or Shoot

Foster or adoptive parents may allow a child to use or be around a toy that explodes or shoots only if all of the following are true:

• Before usage, the service planning team assesses whether it is appropriate for the child to use the toy, documents the assessment in the child’s plan of service, and approves the use of the item.
• During usage, an adult directly supervises the child.
• The toy is age appropriate for the child.

Foster or adoptive parents must notify their FAD worker if there is a change in the type of or an addition to toys that explode or shoot that are on the property.

A toy that explodes or shoots does not include a Nerf gun, water gun, or other toy that is appropriate for the child and does not present a risk to safety.