Texas 89th Legislature
Child Abuse
5 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 6 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
5 bills require immediate attention
Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to court-ordered counseling in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.
Relating to the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect; creating a criminal offense.
Child Abuse Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (9)
Relating to advisory bodies for the Department of Family and Protective Services, including the creation of the child protective investigations advisory committee and the abolition of the Family and Protective Services Council.
Relating to advisory bodies for the Department of Family and Protective Services, including the creation of the child protective investigations advisory committee and the abolition of the Family and Protective Services Council.
Relating to the definitions of child abuse and neglect.
Relating to the definitions of child abuse and neglect.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain violations of certain court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain violations of certain court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking.
Relating to court-ordered counseling in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to court-ordered counseling in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students.
Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students.
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.
Relating to the offense of failure to report child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the statute of limitations for that offense; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions.
Relating to the offense of failure to report child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the statute of limitations for that offense; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions.
Relating to the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect; creating a criminal offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on child abuse passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 9 laws related to child abuse. These bills were authored by 8 different legislators and address various aspects of child abuse policy in Texas.
- Did child abuse bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Child Abuse legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 6 House bills and 3 Senate bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most child abuse bills?
- The leading authors of child abuse legislation include Rep. Lacey Hull (R) with 2 bills, Rep. Candy Noble (R) with 1 bills, Rep. Matthew Shaheen (R) with 1 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on child abuse issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for child abuse legislation?
- Among the 9 child abuse bills enacted, 5 have critical compliance urgency and 1 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to child abuse in Texas law?
- Child Abuse legislation frequently overlaps with Minors, Family, Minors--health & Safety. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for child abuse legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 6 of the 9 child abuse bills (67%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on child abuse policy.
- When do Texas child abuse laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some child abuse bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?
Need help with Government Relations, Lobbying, or compliance? JD Key Consulting has the expertise you're looking for.