HB 4611 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certain voluntary registries in relation to the adoption of or the termination of parental rights regarding a child.

HB 4611 streamlines the process for individuals to register in Texas' voluntary adoption registries. It requires applicants to submit detailed personal information (including birth details, contact information, and consent preferences) through an online portal, replacing paper applications. The bill directly affects birth parents, adoptees, and biological siblings seeking to connect through the registry by standardizing application requirements and adding an online submission option. Key provisions include mandatory identity verification, fee waiver options, and clear statements about disclosure consent and registration duration (99 years or a shorter term). The bill does not change adoption laws but improves registry accessibility and administrative efficiency.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · May 14, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Family Code to modernize voluntary adoption registries by adding online application options, clarifying fee waiver eligibility, and updating search procedures. The changes ensure applicants can submit applications electronically and provide clearer guidance on identity verification and fee waivers for those in foster care or conservatorship.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the adoption registry system to include electronic submission options and updates procedures for searching the registry, while also repealing outdated sections regarding fee waiver processes.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that administrators must allow applicants to submit applications, proof of identity, and fees through an online submission portal.

Removed the requirement that applicants must pay all registration fees or submit a fee waiver application as a condition for accepting registration.

Added new subsection requiring administrators to ensure online submission capability for applications and proof of identity under the voluntary registry system.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified fee waiver eligibility criteria to explicitly include applicants who are or have been in the conservatorship of the department or in foster care in another state.

TIMELINE

Established that the Act takes effect on September 1, 2025, providing time for system updates and implementation.

DEFINITION

Repealed Section 162.413 which contained provisions about the administrator's duty to search for registrants who fail to update contact information.

Floor votes · House May 14, 2025

How they voted

1350
Passed · 11 other
Total votes 146
May 14, 2025
D Democratic61
54 Yea 7
88% Yea
R Republican85
81 Yea 4
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Human Services
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shelby Slawson
Shelby Slawson
RRepublican
TX
59