S.B. No. 1724 proposes comprehensive amendments to the Texas Family Code to enhance recognition and support for same-sex marriages and parenting relationships. The bill introduces provisions that require gender-specific terminology to be interpreted in a neutral manner, replacing terms like "man and woman" with "two individuals" and "husband and wife" with "spouses." This change affirms the legal status of same-sex couples and removes outdated language that criminalized homosexual conduct. Additionally, the bill updates the marriage license application process and informal marriage declarations to ensure inclusivity, allowing for the recognition of civil unions with similar rights and responsibilities as marriage.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the rights of possessory and managing conservators in child custody arrangements, ensuring equitable treatment for all parents regardless of gender. It also repeals outdated provisions and emphasizes the importance of written notices for possession arrangements during holidays, ensuring fair access for both parents. The bill includes amendments related to sexual education, focusing on abstinence without criminalizing homosexual conduct, and expands benefits for veterans' dependents. Overall, S.B. No. 1724 aims to modernize family law in Texas, making it more inclusive and reflective of contemporary family structures, with an effective date set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 2.001, Family Code 2.004, Family Code 2.007, Family Code 2.401, Family Code 2.402, Family Code 3.401, Family Code 6.202, Family Code 6.203, Family Code 6.704, Family Code 108.009, Family Code 152.310, Family Code 153.312, Family Code 153.313, Family Code 159.316, Family Code 162.014, Agriculture Code 72.026, Agriculture Code 167.055, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109.53, Estates Code 121.151, Estates Code 1104.001, Finance Code 65.103, Finance Code 342.501, Finance Code 342.201, Government Code 24.601, Government Code 573.025, Government Code 662.071, Government Code 810.001, Health and Safety Code 85.007, Health and Safety Code 21.06, Health and Safety Code 163.002, Health and Safety Code 193.006, Health and Safety Code 574.045, Penal Code 21.11, Penal Code 25.01, Penal Code 21.06, Property Code 222.006 (Estates Code 121, Government Code 662, Health and Safety Code 21, Penal Code 21, Government Code 24, Agriculture Code 72, Family Code 108, Family Code 153, Family Code 3, Family Code 159, Family Code 6, Health and Safety Code 193, Estates Code 1104, Family Code 2, Property Code 222, Family Code 152, Government Code 810, Health and Safety Code 574, Penal Code 25, Finance Code 65, Agriculture Code 167, Family Code 162, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109, Finance Code 342, Government Code 573, Health and Safety Code 163, Health and Safety Code 85)