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TexasSB 216589th Legislature Regular SessionSenate

Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Sponsored By: Ann Johnson, Tan Parker (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Courts--GeneralFamily--Child ProtectionFamily--Parent & ChildCONSERVATORSHIPMISSING CHILDREN

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Longer court oversight for missing children

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas courts must keep child protection cases open when they find children missing from substitute care. These cases involve the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Courts must set a new dismissal date 180 days after the last dismissal date. Dismissal is barred until the child is found or becomes ineligible for DFPS services or benefits, whichever happens first. However, if trial does not begin before the new deadline, court authority ends and dismissal is automatic, without a court order. A separate rule covers required permanent-placement hearings when DFPS is the child's permanent managing conservator. Courts cannot dismiss those cases while children are missing from substitute care, committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or released under its supervision. That restriction has exceptions for adoption or transfer of permanent managing conservatorship to an individual other than DFPS.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Ann Johnson

    House

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 284 • No: 0

House vote • 5/23/2025

Record vote

Yes: 134 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Record vote

Yes: 137 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Jurisprudence

Yes: 5 • 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

    5/27/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    5/26/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    5/26/2025Senate

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/23/2025Senate

  7. House passage reported

    5/23/2025Senate

  8. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/23/2025House

  9. Record vote (RV#3329)

    5/23/2025House

  10. Passed

    5/23/2025House

  11. Read 3rd time

    5/23/2025House

  12. Record vote (RV#3249)

    5/22/2025House

  13. Passed to 3rd reading

    5/22/2025House

  14. Read 2nd time

    5/22/2025House

  15. Placed on General State Calendar

    5/21/2025House

  16. Considered in Calendars

    5/19/2025House

  17. Committee report sent to Calendars

    5/15/2025House

  18. Committee report distributed

    5/15/2025House

  19. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator

    5/15/2025House

  20. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

    5/13/2025House

  21. Considered in formal meeting

    5/13/2025House

  22. Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

    5/12/2025House

  23. Read first time

    5/12/2025House

  24. Received from the Senate

    5/9/2025House

  25. Reported engrossed

    5/9/2025Senate

Bill Text

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