SB 1398 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

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.

This bill amends Texas Family Code provisions affecting children in the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship. It clarifies that "family preservation services" (time-limited, family-focused support to prevent foster care placement) must be provided to eligible families, including those with pregnant or parenting foster youth. The bill shifts responsibility for paying these services to the family member obtaining them, rather than the state. It also requires DFPS or contractors to submit detailed court reports before placing a child in temporary emergency supervision, documenting all attempted placements and reasons for rejection. These changes took effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 19, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 7 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas Family Code provisions related to community-based foster care, family preservation services, and contractor oversight. It adds new definitions, expands case management responsibilities, and establishes stricter performance review requirements for single-source continuum contractors. The changes aim to improve child welfare outcomes through better service delivery and accountability measures.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of community-based care implementation requirements and adds new provisions for faith-based organization recruitment of foster parents. It also clarifies applicability dates for new contract provisions.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'faith-based organization' and expanded 'family preservation service' definition to include specific eligible populations.

REQUIREMENT

Added new case management duties including court-related responsibilities and permanency goal tracking.

Added requirements for community advisory committees with specific stakeholder representation.

Added provisions for faith-based organization recruitment and retention of foster parents.

Modified contractor contract provisions to include sequential implementation plans and capitated funding methodology requirements.

ENFORCEMENT

Enhanced contractor performance review requirements with specific metrics for family reunification, reentry rates, and placement stability.

TIMELINE

Set effective date of September 1, 2025 for the Act's provisions.

Floor votes · House May 23, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
59
Key actions
19
Committee
12
Amendments
6
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 23, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (135-0-11)
house
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Human Services
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors