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, the official text

H.B. No. 694

AN ACT

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.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 264.018, Family Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) and adding Subsections

(h-1) and (m) to read as follows:

(d) Not later than 24 hours after an event described by this

subsection, the department shall make a reasonable effort to notify

a parent of a child in the managing conservatorship of the

department and the parent's attorney, if represented by an

attorney, of:

(1) a significant change in medical condition of the

child;

(2) the enrollment or participation of the child in a

drug research program under Section 266.0041; [and]

(3) an initial prescription of a psychotropic

medication; and

(4) a change in the child's placement.

(e) Not later than 48 hours before the department changes

the residential child-care facility of a child in the managing

conservatorship of the department, the department shall provide

notice of the change to:

(1) the child's parent and the parent's attorney, if

represented by an attorney;

(2) an attorney ad litem appointed for the child under

Chapter 107;

(3) a guardian ad litem appointed for the child under

Chapter 107;

(4) a volunteer advocate appointed for the child under

Chapter 107; and

(5) the licensed administrator of the child-placing

agency responsible for placing the child or the licensed

administrator's designee.

(f) Except as provided by Subsection (d-1), as soon as

possible but not later than 48 hours [the 10th day] after [the date]

the department becomes aware of a significant event affecting a

child in the conservatorship of the department, the department

shall provide notice of the significant event to:

(1) the child's parent and the parent's attorney, if

represented by an attorney;

(2) an attorney ad litem appointed for the child under

Chapter 107;

(3) a guardian ad litem appointed for the child under

Chapter 107;

(4) a volunteer advocate appointed for the child under

Chapter 107;

(5) the licensed administrator of the child-placing

agency responsible for placing the child or the licensed

administrator's designee;

(6) a foster parent, prospective adoptive parent,

relative of the child providing care to the child, or director of

the group home or general residential operation where the child is

residing; and

(7) any other person determined by a court to have an

interest in the child's welfare.

(g) For purposes of Subsection (f), if a hearing for the

child is conducted during the 48-hour [10-day] notice period

described by that subsection, the department shall provide notice

of the significant event at the hearing.

(h-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (h), the department shall

provide notice under this section to a parent's attorney if the

parent is represented by an attorney if:

(1) the department cannot locate the parent; or

(2) the child is in the permanent managing

conservatorship of the department and the parent has not

participated in the child's case for at least six months despite the

department's efforts to involve the parent.

(m) The department shall document all notifications and

attempted notifications made under this section in the child's case

record.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 694 was passed by the House on April

30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 0, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 694 was passed by the Senate on May

20, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor