S.B. No. 1398 amends the Texas Family Code to improve procedures related to suits affecting the parent-child relationship, particularly for children under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The bill redefines "family preservation service" to include time-limited, family-focused services that align with the Family First Prevention Services Act and the Title IV-E state plan, expanding its scope to cover not only candidates for foster care and pregnant or parenting foster youth but also members of households under specific court orders. Additionally, it introduces a new section on "temporary emergency supervision," detailing the conditions for such supervision and the reporting requirements to the court.

The legislation also enhances the oversight and performance evaluation of single source continuum contractors providing community-based care services. Key provisions require contractors to establish a unified training process for alternative caregivers, maintain a diverse service provider network, and undergo annual performance reviews assessing compliance with various performance outcomes. The bill introduces a capitated funding methodology, mandates the publication of performance reviews, and allows the department to impose financial remedies or incentives based on contractor performance. Furthermore, it emphasizes the recruitment and retention of foster parents from faith-based organizations and requires community advisory committee findings to be included in performance reviews and corrective action plans. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 262.401, Family Code 262.411, Family Code 264.107, Family Code 264.1261, Family Code 264.152, Family Code 264.153, Family Code 264.154, Family Code 264.155, Family Code 264.156, Family Code 264.158, Family Code 264.162, Family Code 264.2031, Family Code 264.113 (Family Code 264, Family Code 262)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 262.401, Family Code 262.411, Family Code 264.107, Family Code 264.1261, Family Code 264.152, Family Code 264.153, Family Code 264.154, Family Code 264.155, Family Code 264.156, Family Code 264.158, Family Code 264.162, Family Code 264.2031, Human Resources Code 40.0583, Family Code 264.113 (Family Code 264, Family Code 262, Human Resources Code 40)
Engrossed: Family Code 262.401, Family Code 262.411, Family Code 264.107, Family Code 264.1261, Family Code 264.152, Family Code 264.153, Family Code 264.154, Family Code 264.155, Family Code 264.156, Family Code 264.158, Family Code 264.162, Family Code 264.2031, Human Resources Code 40.0583, Family Code 264.113 (Family Code 264, Family Code 262, Human Resources Code 40)
House Committee Report: Family Code 262.401, Family Code 262.411, Family Code 264.107, Family Code 264.1261, Family Code 264.152, Family Code 264.153, Family Code 264.154, Family Code 264.155, Family Code 264.156, Family Code 264.158, Family Code 264.162, Family Code 264.2031, Human Resources Code 40.0583, Family Code 264.113 (Family Code 264, Family Code 262, Human Resources Code 40)
Enrolled: Family Code 262.401, Family Code 262.411, Family Code 264.107, Family Code 264.1261, Family Code 264.152, Family Code 264.153, Family Code 264.154, Family Code 264.155, Family Code 264.156, Family Code 264.158, Family Code 264.162, Family Code 264.2031, Human Resources Code 40.0583, Family Code 264.113 (Family Code 264, Family Code 262, Human Resources Code 40)