House Bill No. 116 amends the Texas Family Code to update the grounds for the involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship. Key changes include the addition of new criteria under which a court may order termination of parental rights, specifically addressing situations involving serious criminal conduct, such as murder or sexual assault of the other parent, and the circumstances surrounding the child's conception. The bill also modifies existing provisions related to parental abandonment and support obligations, ensuring that parents who have had their rights terminated for specific reasons are held accountable for child support until certain conditions are met.

The bill introduces new legal language, replacing outdated terms and criteria to reflect current legal standards. For instance, it updates the sections regarding the termination of parental rights to include more explicit definitions of criminal behavior that can lead to termination, such as being convicted of serious offenses against the other parent. Additionally, it clarifies the conditions under which a parent may be deemed to have constructively abandoned a child. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to any pending or new suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed after this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 161.001 (Family Code 161)
House Committee Report: Family Code 161.001 (Family Code 161)
Engrossed: Family Code 161.001 (Family Code 161)