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The 88th Texas Legislature is in session, and several bills seeking to change how CPS operates are enduring the tortuous process of becoming law. A bumper crop, to be sure.
Below is a list of those bills along with a link to the text and their current status. I’ll track them and go into more detail in future posts.
Let me know in the comments if there are any others we should be following!
Note that several of the bills are up for public hearing on April 12. So head to Austin if you want to testify for or against, or just watch them here (House of Representatives) or here (Senate).
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.
Seeks to modify Article I, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 36.
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HJ00085I.pdf
Current status: referred to State Affairs March 3, 2023
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.
Seeks to modify Section 261.104, 261.304
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00063I.pdf
Current status: considered in public hearing April 4, 2023; reported favorably as substituted
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.
Seeks to modify Chapter 105 of the TFC by adding Section 105.010
Seeks to modify Section 261.303, 261.307, 262.206, 263.307, 264.902
Seeks to modify Chapter 264 of the TFC by adding Sections 264.907 and 264.908
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00730I.pdf
Current status: left pending in committee March 29, 2023
HB 957 – by Rep. Dutton; Standing
An Act relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Seeks to modify TFC 102.003, 102.004, 102.005 and 102.006
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00957I.pdf
Current status: Referred to Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
HB 1087 – by Rep. Hull; Reasonable efforts
An Act relating to the contents of a petition in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Seeks to modify TFC 262.101, 262.102, 262.107, 262.201
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB01087I.pdf
Current status: Scheduled for public hearing on 04/12/2023.
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.
Seeks to modify TFC Chapter 262 by adding Section 262.2011
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB01529I.pdf
Current status: Scheduled for public hearing on 04/12/2023
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.
Seeks to modify TFC 153.003, 156.101
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB03072I.pdf
Current Status: Scheduled for public hearing on 04/12/2023
HB 3238 – by Rep. Campos; Family Service Plans
An Act relating to a family service plan.
Seeks to modify TFC 263.102
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB03238I.pdf
Current Status: Referred to Human Services
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.
Seeks to add TFC 264.020
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB03584I.pdf
Current status: left pending in committee
HB 4850 – by Rep. Campos – Procedures in Chapter 262 hearings
An Act relating to certain procedures in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Seeks to modify TFC 262.014, 262,105, 262.106, 262.107, 262.201, 263.002, 263.501, 263.5031, 264.203
Seeks to repeal TFC 262.106
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB04850I.pdf
Current status: referred to Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
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.
Seeks to modify TFC 161.101, 263.401
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB04855I.pdf
Current status: Referred to Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
HB 4866 – by Rep. Campos – Chapter 161 relating to grounds for termination
An Act relating to the procedures and grounds for terminating the parent-child relationship.
Seeks to modify TFC 154.001, 161.001
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB04866I.pdf
Current status: referred to Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
HB 4953 – by Rep. Leo-Wilson; Relating to 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.
Seeks to modify TFC 263.403
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB04953I.pdf
Current status: referred to Juvenile Justice and Family Issues
HB 5193 – by Rep. Gates; Relating to Procedures
An Act relating to certain procedures in suits affecting the parent-child relationship file by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Seeks to modify TFC 102.008, 104.009, 104.010, 261.3111, 262.201, 262.207, 264.408
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB05193I.pdf
SB 1269 – by Senator Hughes; Relating to 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.
Seeks to modify TFC 104.0010-0104.008
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/SB01269I.pdf
Current status: reported favorably as substituted; co-author authorized
SB 1447 – by Senator Miles; Relating to CPS investigator training
An Act relating to training program for persons investigating suspected child abuse or neglect.
Seeks to modify TFC Chapter 261 by adding Section 261.3015
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/SB01447I.pdf
Current status: Scheduled for public hearing on 04/12/2023
SB 1864 – by Senator Middleton – Related to Placement
An Act relating to certain placements for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Seeks to modify Chapter 264 of the TFC by adding Section 264.020.
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/SB01864I.pdf
Current status: referred to Health and Human Services
SB 2548 – by Senator Middleton – Related to 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.
Seeks to modify TFC 263.403
Text of bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/SB02548I.pdf
Current status: referred to Health and Human Services