House Bill No. 1320 amends the Texas Family Code regarding the composition and membership of county Child Welfare Boards. The bill stipulates that while the commissioners court of a county can appoint a child welfare board, the board must consist of no fewer than seven and no more than 15 members. Notably, it introduces a provision that allows counties with populations under 500,000 to have up to one-third of their board members be residents of contiguous counties, which is a change from the previous requirement that all members be residents of the county. Additionally, the bill clarifies that board members serve at the pleasure of the commissioners court and may be removed for just cause, and they serve without compensation.

The bill also outlines the operational framework for these boards, including the ability for multiple counties to establish a joint child welfare board with the approval of the department, which would have the same powers and liabilities as a single-county board. Furthermore, it specifies that board members may access confidential information while acting in their official capacity and allows for closed meetings to discuss confidential matters. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.