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Committee considers shortening DFPS ‘significant event’ notice to 48 hours and adding parents’ attorneys
Summary
House Bill 6 94 would shrink DFPS reporting for significant events from 10 days to 48 hours, add changes of placement to the 24‑hour list and require notice to parents’ attorneys; witnesses said the change formalizes current best practice while DFPS noted implementation depends on records/IT modernization.
House Bill 6 94, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Cook, would require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to notify parents, attorneys and other parties of significant events involving a child in DFPS conservatorship within a shortened timeline: 48 hours for significant events (down from 10 days) and 24 hours for changes in placement. The bill also expands the list of parties who must receive notice, including parents’ attorneys, and requires documentation of timely communication.
Supporters said the changes codify common‑sense practices and would strengthen parental rights and oversight; some witnesses said the change can be accomplished with current email systems, while DFPS described ongoing IT modernization needs but said email notifications are already used and that it could meet the 48‑hour requirement.
Stephanie Battaglia, public policy specialist with Texas CASA, urged the committee to pass the bill, saying it “ensures that parents, attorneys, and caregivers can respond promptly to important developments in a child's condition or placement” and that “knowing where your child is at all times is an incredibly important right that parents should have in CPS cases.” Judy Powell of Parent Guidance Center and Julia Hatcher of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys also testified in support; Hatcher described recent instances where attorneys and guardian ad litems were not notified and urged adding enforceable consequences.
DFPS associate commissioner Brida Banales (resource witness) told the committee many notifications already go out by email and said the agency prioritizes child safety first when moving children; she said DFPS could meet the 48‑hour notification timeline in most cases but noted major IT investments to modernize systems remain a department priority.
Committee members asked about the agency’s operational ability to meet the shortened timelines; Senator Cook and others said the measure largely formalizes existing best practice and that proposed IT investments (discussed in Senate Finance) could support compliance. The committee closed public testimony and left House Bill 6 94 pending.
No formal committee vote occurred at the hearing.
