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HB 4869

Relating to the modification of a court order based on a parental child safety placement agreement or an authorization agreement with an adult caregiver.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Aicha Davis

HB 4869 enables Texas courts to modify child custody orders when parents establish safety placement or adult caregiver authorization agreements.

Referred to s/c on Family & Fiduciary Relationships by Speaker
#childcustody(s4378) #courts--general(i0160) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #family--childprotection(i0351) #family--childsupport(i0352) #family--parent&child(i0355) #minors--health&safety(i0533)
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Bill Summary · HB 4869

Legislative bill overview

HB 4869 modifies Texas family law procedures to allow courts to modify existing child custody and safety orders when parents enter into a "parental child safety placement agreement" or "authorization agreement with an adult caregiver." The bill streamlines the process for formalizing informal caregiving arrangements that may already exist in practice.

Why is this important

This bill addresses situations where children are living with someone other than their legal parent—whether another relative or trusted adult—and seeks to provide a legal mechanism to modify court orders accordingly. This affects custody clarity, guardianship rights, and protections for both children and caregivers in informal arrangements that currently lack formal legal standing.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental rights limitations: Critics may argue the bill could too easily strip or modify parental rights without sufficient safeguards, or conversely, that it doesn't go far enough in protecting parental interests during modification proceedings
  • Definition ambiguity: The terms "parental child safety placement agreement" and "authorization agreement with an adult caregiver" lack detail in the bill description, leaving uncertainty about what arrangements qualify and what protections apply
  • Caregiver vetting: Questions about whether adequate background checks and investigations into the adult caregiver's fitness occur before courts approve modifications, particularly in cases involving non-relatives

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

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