8 CPS Bills Survive the 88th Legislature; 14 Dead

Last April, I published a list of CPS bills making their way through the 88th Texas Legislature. The session is over, and the dust has settled. Let’s take a look at the winners and losers. (Please see the April 10, 2023 post for specific information about and links to the bills.)

Also, four bills that were not on my initial list (SB 614, HB 793, HB 2671, and HB 2658) made it through to the governor’s desk. In the following weeks, I’ll go through each bill that passed in more detail. I’ll also look into why at least one of them failed. (I really want to know why the Parental Rights Amendment failed.)  

 

HJR 85 – by Rep. Dustin Burrows – Parental Rights Amendment

A Joint Resolution proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the fundamental rights of parents to raise their children. Final status: DEAD.

HB 63 – By Rep. Valoree Swanson – Requires accuser to provide contact information

An Act relating to reports of child abuse or neglect and certain preliminary investigations of those reports. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 730 – by Rep. James Frank – CPS Omnibus Bill

An Act relating to procedures and standards for certain investigations and suits affecting the parent child relationship. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 793 – by Reps Noble, Hull, Campos, Manuel, Klick; Service Plan

Relating to the selection and reimbursement of certain persons providing services required under a service plan filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 957 – by Rep Dutton; Standing

An act relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. Final status: DEAD.

HB 1087 – by Rep. Hull; Reasonable efforts

An Act relating to the contents of a petition in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 1529 – by Rep. Campos; Required notice of rights

An Act relating to procedures in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: Dead.

HB 2658 – by Rep. Leach; Termination

Relating to grounds for the involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 2671 – by Rep. Cook; Temporary Orders

Relating to the postponement of a hearing for a temporary order in certain family law cases referred to mediation.

Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

HB 3072 – by Rep. Cook; Best interest, parental presumption

An Act relating to the determination of the best interest of a child in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Final Status: DEAD.

HB 3238 – by Rep. Campos; Family Service Plans

An Act relating to a family service plan. Final Status: DEAD.

HB 3584 – by Rep. Leo-Wilson; Placement

An Act relating to certain placements for children in conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.

HB 4850 – by Rep. Campos – Procedures in Chapter 262 hearings

An Act relating to certain procedures in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. Final status: DEAD.

HB 4855 – by Rep. Campos – Petition Allegations and Deadlines

An Act relating to certain procedures in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.

HB 4866 – by Rep. Campos – Chapter 161 Termination

An Act relating to the procedures and grounds for terminating the parent-child relationship. Final status: DEAD.

HB 4953 – by Rep. Leo-Wilson; Monitored Returns

An Act relating to the procedures for the removal of certain children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.

HB 5193 – by Rep. Gates; Procedures

An Act relating to certain procedures in suits affecting the parent-child relationship file by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final Status: DEAD.

SB 614 – by Senator Perry; PCSPs

Relating to certain procedures relating to children placed under a parental child safety placement. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

SB 1269 – by Senator Hughes; Evidence

An Act relating to admissibility of certain evidence in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.

SB 1447 – by Senator Miles; CPS investigator training

An Act relating to training program for persons investigating suspected child abuse or neglect. Final status: Signed by the Governor. Effective 09/01/23.

SB 1864 – by Senator Middleton; Placement

An Act relating to certain placements for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.

SB 2548 – by Senator Middleton – Monitored Returns

An Act relating to the procedures for the removal of certain children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Final status: DEAD.