Texas 89th Legislature
Family
21 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 46 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
21 bills require immediate attention
Relating to certain procedures in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship for a child placed in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services and the provision of family preservation services and community-based foster care.
Relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the receivership of a single-source continuum contractor providing child welfare services.
Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
Relating to the collection and confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.
Relating to certain policies and procedures for health care specialty consultations in certain child abuse or neglect investigations and assessments.
Family Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (74)
Relating to the construction, expansion, and operation of certain inpatient mental health facilities and the designation of residential treatment facilities for certain juveniles.
Relating to the construction, expansion, and operation of certain inpatient mental health facilities and the designation of residential treatment facilities for certain juveniles.
Relating to grounds for the involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship.
Relating to grounds for the involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship.
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 a screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation of certain children.
Relating to a screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation of certain children.
Relating to the notification of certain persons concerning certain events related to children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the notification of certain persons concerning certain events related to children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.
Relating to the definitions of child abuse and neglect.
Relating to the definitions of child abuse and neglect.
Relating to neglect of a child and the grounds for termination of the parent-child relationship and possession of a child by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to neglect of a child and the grounds for termination of the parent-child relationship and possession of a child by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain information on a declaration of informal marriage.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain information on a declaration of informal marriage.
Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the collection and confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.
Relating to the collection and confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.
Relating to the transfer of court files in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship in which continuing, exclusive jurisdiction is transferred.
Relating to the transfer of court files in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship in which continuing, exclusive jurisdiction is transferred.
Relating to the jurisdiction of a court in a suit to divide certain property not divided or awarded on the dissolution of a marriage.
Relating to the jurisdiction of a court in a suit to divide certain property not divided or awarded on the dissolution of a marriage.
Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to notice provided by a chemical dependency treatment facility to the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a minor refused admission to the facility.
Relating to notice provided by a chemical dependency treatment facility to the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a minor refused admission to the facility.
Relating to certain policies and procedures for health care specialty consultations in certain child abuse or neglect investigations and assessments.
Relating to certain policies and procedures for health care specialty consultations in certain child abuse or neglect investigations and assessments.
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 certain void marriages.
Relating to certain void marriages.
Relating to the qualifications, communications, and recordkeeping of a child custody evaluator and the admissibility of a child custody evaluation under certain circumstances.
Relating to the qualifications, communications, and recordkeeping of a child custody evaluator and the admissibility of a child custody evaluation under certain circumstances.
Relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to the period for which a person arrested for certain crimes involving family violence may be held after bond is posted.
Relating to the period for which a person arrested for certain crimes involving family violence may be held after bond is posted.
Relating to certain rights of a child or a parent or the sole managing conservator of a child in relation to the child's enrollment in school.
Relating to certain rights of a child or a parent or the sole managing conservator of a child in relation to the child's enrollment in school.
Relating to the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings.
Relating to the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings.
Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to the regulation of child welfare, including licensure, community-based care contractors, family homes, and child-care facilities.
Relating to the regulation of child welfare, including licensure, community-based care contractors, family homes, and child-care facilities.
Relating to required reporting by the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding youth in the managing conservatorship of the department who attempt suicide.
Relating to required reporting by the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding youth in the managing conservatorship of the department who attempt suicide.
Relating to the contents of a request for disclosure in a civil action brought under the Family Code.
Relating to the contents of a request for disclosure in a civil action brought under the Family Code.
Relating to the enforcement of a court order for possession of or access to a child and related order modifications.
Relating to the enforcement of a court order for possession of or access to a child and related order modifications.
Relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family.
Relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family.
Relating to the administration of a retirement health care plan for firefighters and police officers in certain municipalities.
Relating to the administration of a retirement health care plan for firefighters and police officers in certain municipalities.
Relating to public hearing requirements for issuing a license for or expanding certain residential child-care facilities.
Relating to public hearing requirements for issuing a license for or expanding certain residential child-care facilities.
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 the contract requirements for a contract between a single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a single source continuum contractor and the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the procedures and practices of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department regarding grievances submitted by department employees and former department employees and to the eligibility of a person to be appointed to the department's release review panel and the authority of a panel member.
Relating to the procedures and practices of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department regarding grievances submitted by department employees and former department employees and to the eligibility of a person to be appointed to the department's release review panel and the authority of a panel member.
Relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to restrictions on the fee assessed for issuance of certain birth records.
Relating to restrictions on the fee assessed for issuance of certain birth records.
Relating to the Preparation for Adult Living Program and other services for foster children transitioning to independent living.
Relating to the Preparation for Adult Living Program and other services for foster children transitioning to independent living.
Relating to duties of the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services in relation to certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including in regard to the electronic transmission of certain information.
Relating to duties of the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services in relation to certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including in regard to the electronic transmission of certain information.
Relating to restricting the collection and use of DNA samples from children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to restricting the collection and use of DNA samples from children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to prohibiting single source continuum contractors and child-placing agencies from imposing certain requirements on or adopting certain policies and procedures related to relative and designated caregivers.
Relating to prohibiting single source continuum contractors and child-placing agencies from imposing certain requirements on or adopting certain policies and procedures related to relative and designated caregivers.
Relating to the occupational licensing of military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.
Relating to the occupational licensing of military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.
Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
Relating to parental rights in public education, to certain public school requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction, diversity, equity, and inclusion duties, and social transitioning, and to student clubs at public schools.
Relating to parental rights in public education, to certain public school requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction, diversity, equity, and inclusion duties, and social transitioning, and to student clubs at public schools.
Relating to a school district's library materials and catalog, the establishment of local school library advisory councils, and parental rights regarding public school library catalogs and access by the parent's child to library materials.
Relating to a school district's library materials and catalog, the establishment of local school library advisory councils, and parental rights regarding public school library catalogs and access by the parent's child to library materials.
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 establishing residency for children who are the subject of parental child safety placement agreements for purposes of admission into public schools.
Relating to establishing residency for children who are the subject of parental child safety placement agreements for purposes of admission into public schools.
Relating to access to certain information in the adoption process.
Relating to access to certain information in the adoption process.
Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.
Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.
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.
Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientation.
Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on family passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 74 laws related to family. These bills were authored by 38 different legislators and address various aspects of family policy in Texas.
- Did family bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Family legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 41 House bills and 33 Senate bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most family bills?
- The leading authors of family legislation include Rep. Harold Dutton (D) with 6 bills, Rep. David Cook (R) with 5 bills, Rep. Lacey Hull (R) with 5 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on family issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for family legislation?
- Among the 74 family bills enacted, 21 have critical compliance urgency and 27 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to family in Texas law?
- Family legislation frequently overlaps with Family--parent & Child, Family--child Protection, Family & Protective Services, Department of. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for family legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 46 of the 74 family bills (62%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on family policy.
- When do Texas family laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some family bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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