H.B. No. 1892 introduces the Uniform Unregulated Child Custody Transfer Act, which aims to establish a standardized legal framework for child custody transfers in Texas. The bill adds Chapter 163 to Subtitle B, Title 5 of the Family Code, outlining definitions, applications, and general provisions related to child custody. It emphasizes the importance of uniformity in law across states that adopt this act and specifies that it does not apply to custody of Indian children as defined by the Indian Child Welfare Act. The chapter includes provisions that prohibit unregulated custody transfers, detailing the circumstances under which custody can be legally transferred and the responsibilities of the Department of Family and Protective Services in monitoring compliance.

The bill also establishes criminal offenses related to violations of the custody transfer provisions. Specifically, it makes it a Class B misdemeanor to unlawfully transfer custody with the intent to abandon parental rights, escalating to a felony of the third degree if the child has been previously adopted. Additionally, it prohibits soliciting or advertising for illegal custody transfers, with violations classified as Class A misdemeanors or felonies depending on prior offenses. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to conduct occurring on or after that date.

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