House Bill No. 3282, introduced by Dutton, amends the Family Code to establish new procedures for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) regarding the termination of the parent-child relationship. The bill stipulates that DFPS cannot file a petition for termination unless specific conditions are met, such as the child being in temporary conservatorship for at least 15 of the previous 22 months, the child being under two years of age with a prior finding of abandonment, or the presence of aggravated circumstances against the parent. Additionally, the bill outlines circumstances under which DFPS is prohibited from filing such petitions, including when the child is cared for by a relative or when the parent maintains a meaningful role in the child's life despite incarceration.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the timeline for automatic dismissal of suits affecting the parent-child relationship, extending the period from one year to two years. It requires the court to notify all parties of the automatic dismissal date and allows for extensions under extraordinary circumstances. The changes apply to both pending and future suits, with the act set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 161.101, Family Code 263.401 (Family Code 263, Family Code 161)