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TexasHB 234089th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

Relating to the qualifications, communications, and recordkeeping of a child custody evaluator and the admissibility of a child custody evaluation under certain circumstances.

Sponsored By: Will Metcalf, Judith Zaffirini (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Disabilities, Persons withFamily--GeneralFamily--Parent & ChildOccupational Regulation--Other Trades & ProfessionsCHILD CUSTODYRECORDS MANAGEMENT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Disability training and limits on custody reports

Beginning January 1, 2026, new court-appointed custody evaluators must meet a disability-care training requirement. They must complete at least three hours of training during the two years before the evaluation. Topics include education, therapy, preparation for independent living, and physical or mental health challenges. Courts cannot admit reports about children with intellectual or developmental disabilities if evaluators lacked the required training on the evaluation date. Evaluators appointed under Family Code Section 107.106 are exempt from this report exclusion. The new requirements apply to court appointments on or after January 1, 2026; evaluations completed before then follow prior law.

Parents get custody records with privacy limits

Beginning September 1, 2025, disclosure rules apply when private evaluators share completed custody evaluation records after filing the required court notice. A party's lawyer, an unrepresented party, or a person appointed under the chapter can request records in writing. Evaluators must provide access within a reasonable time unless a court orders otherwise. They must remove Social Security numbers and children's birth dates; department records and records from specified entities are excluded. Records from domestic relations office employees or contractors follow that office's local rules and policies. Private evaluators must keep all evaluation records through the period set by their licensing authority, measured from the notice filing date. This retention rule covers records held on or after September 1, 2025, even if created earlier.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Judith Zaffirini

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 362 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 1

House vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 140 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 147 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Jurisprudence

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/23/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/23/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/23/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/22/2025House

  7. Senate passage reported

    5/21/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/21/2025Senate

  9. Passed

    5/21/2025Senate

  10. Read 3rd time

    5/21/2025Senate

  11. Record vote

    5/21/2025Senate

  12. Three day rule suspended

    5/21/2025Senate

  13. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/21/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/21/2025Senate

  15. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/21/2025Senate

  16. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    5/21/2025Senate

  17. Placed on intent calendar

    5/21/2025Senate

  18. Co-sponsor authorized

    5/21/2025Senate

  19. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/15/2025Senate

  20. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/15/2025Senate

  21. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    5/15/2025Senate

  22. Vote taken in committee

    5/14/2025Senate

  23. Considered in public hearing

    5/14/2025Senate

  24. Left pending in committee

    5/7/2025Senate

  25. Testimony taken in committee

    5/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

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