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Bill

Bill

SB 425

Relating to the creation of the child and adult protective investigations advisory committee in the Department of Family and Protective Services.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Lois Kolkhorst

Texas bill creates advisory committee within DFPS to guide child and adult protective investigations policies and practices.

Left pending in committee
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Bill Summary · SB 425

Legislative bill overview

SB 425 establishes a new advisory committee within Texas's Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) focused on child and adult protective investigations. The committee would provide guidance and recommendations on policies, procedures, and practices related to how the department conducts investigations into child abuse, neglect, and adult protective services cases.

Why is this important

DFPS investigations directly affect vulnerable populations—abused and neglected children and at-risk adults—making the quality and consistency of investigative practices critical. An advisory committee could improve departmental accountability, incorporate diverse professional expertise, and help identify systemic gaps in how investigations are conducted, potentially leading to better outcomes for protected populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Committee composition and oversight: Questions about who serves on the committee, whether members have sufficient independence from DFPS leadership, and what actual authority their recommendations carry
  • Resource implications: Creating an advisory structure requires staff time and funding that could alternatively be directed toward caseworkers, training, or direct services
  • Balancing reform with operational efficiency: Requiring advisory input on investigations could slow response times in urgent cases if not carefully structured

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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