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HB 1460

Relating to the establishment of a task force to locate relatives and certain individuals and to the procedures for providing notice to certain individuals on placement of a child in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Barbara Gervin-Hawkins

Texas HB 1460 establishes a task force and notification procedures requiring DFPS to locate and notify relatives when children enter state protective custody.

Referred to Human Services
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Bill Summary · HB 1460

Legislative bill overview

HB 1460 establishes a task force in Texas to locate relatives and other individuals who may have a connection to children entering state custody through the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The bill also creates new procedures requiring DFPS to provide notice to identified individuals when a child is placed under the department's managing conservatorship.

Why is this important

Family connections and kinship placements are critical for child welfare outcomes, as research shows children fare better with relatives than in non-relative foster care or institutional settings. By systematizing the search for and notification of relatives, the bill aims to improve access to family-based care options and maintain important family relationships during child protective services involvement.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource and timeline concerns: Establishing a new task force and locating procedures requires funding and staff time; unclear whether DFPS has capacity or if new appropriations are necessary
  • Notice definition and scope: The bill's language on "certain individuals" beyond relatives is vague; questions arise about who qualifies and how to balance privacy concerns with notification requirements
  • Implementation timeline: The bill provides limited detail on procedural deadlines, potentially creating inconsistent application across DFPS regions and caseworkers

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

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