Texas 89th Legislature
Foster Care
3 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 7 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
3 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 collection and confidentiality of information regarding firearms in agency foster homes; creating a civil penalty.
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.
Foster Care Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (10)
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 standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Relating to standing in a suit 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 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 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 a rural community-based care pilot program.
Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.
Relating to the authority of certain medical consenters to assume financial responsibility for certain out-of-network medical care provided to children in foster care.
Relating to the authority of certain medical consenters to assume financial responsibility for certain out-of-network medical care provided to children in foster care.
Relating to instruction on adoption in the parenting and paternity awareness program in public schools.
Relating to instruction on adoption in the parenting and paternity awareness program in public schools.
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on foster care passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 10 laws related to foster care. These bills were authored by 9 different legislators and address various aspects of foster care policy in Texas.
- Did foster care bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Foster Care legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 6 House bills and 4 Senate bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most foster care bills?
- The leading authors of foster care legislation include Sen. Kevin Sparks (R) with 2 bills, Rep. Denise Villalobos (R) with 1 bills, Rep. Harold Dutton (D) with 1 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on foster care issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for foster care legislation?
- Among the 10 foster care bills enacted, 3 have critical compliance urgency and 6 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to foster care in Texas law?
- Foster Care legislation frequently overlaps with Family, Family & Protective Services, Department of, Family--child Protection. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for foster care legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 7 of the 10 foster care bills (70%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on foster care policy.
- When do Texas foster care laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some foster care bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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