The 89th Texas Legislative Session marked a watershed moment for parental rights. From long-overdue reforms to bold new constitutional protections, the victories secured this year signal a renewed commitment to protecting the role of parents in Texas law. These wins would not have been possible without a powerful coalition of legislators—and the strategic leadership of Speaker Dustin Burrows.

When the 2025 legislative session opened, the Texas House was sharply divided after a contentious race for Speaker. Speaker Burrows rose to the moment, ensuring that the House delivered on critical pro-family reforms. His commitment to parental rights was more than rhetorical—he empowered key committee chairmen, cleared legislative bottlenecks, and personally intervened at pivotal moments to shepherd top parental rights legislation across the finish line.

Thanks to Speaker Burrow’s leadership, and the tireless work of numerous allies in the House and Senate, Texas families are walking away from this session with a stronger foundation for freedom than ever before. This year’s success also reflects the long-term leadership of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, whose efforts over the past decade have helped build a Senate that honors and defends the role of parents in raising their children.

At the center of these victories was the Parental Rights Amendment to the Texas Constitution, filed as SJR 34 by Senator Bryan Hughes and HJR 112 by Representative James Frank. This groundbreaking measure will appear on the November 4, 2025 ballot. If approved by voters, the amendment will enshrine in the Texas Constitution a parent’s fundamental right to raise their child. Currently, parental rights in Texas rely on interpretations from unelected federal judges—individuals whose views can shift over time. By securing these rights in the state constitution, the amendment offers lasting protection for generations to come.

Senator Hughes and Representative Frank have long been champions of a parent’s right to direct the upbringing of their children. Their leadership was instrumental in the passage of the Child Trauma Prevention Act (CTPA) in 2021, a landmark reform that reshaped how Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) engages with families. The CTPA required CPS to present specific, evidence-based allegations rather than broad, blanket accusations. It also enforced ethical standards for CPS attorneys, protected families from unwarranted investigations, ensured fair treatment for both parents, and established clear deadlines for CPS proceedings. This work laid a critical foundation for the progress achieved this session.

Building on those reforms, Hughes and Frank returned this session with a new slate of legislation aimed at limiting government overreach and strengthening due process for families. 

We are especially grateful for the work of Senator Brian Birdwell and Representative Cody Vasut, who championed legislation to strengthen the legal presumption in favor of parents. Senate Bill 2052 and House Bill 4656 make it clear in state law that courts must defer to a parent’s decisions regarding their child unless there is clear evidence of significant harm. This critical reform, signed into law by Governor Abbott, provides a firm legal standard that protects families navigating custody disputes and upholds the fundamental role of parents in raising their children.

We also commend Representative Harold Dutton for leading the charge to reform the standards for terminating parental rights. House Bill 116 raises the threshold for termination by striking the “(o)” grounds. This meaning parents can no longer lose their rights solely for failing to complete a checklist of bureaucratic tasks—tasks that often have nothing to do with the safety or well-being of the child. We are especially grateful to Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who sponsored this bill in the Senate and helped ensure its passage. These long-overdue changes close dangerous loopholes and better protect families from unnecessary and traumatic state intervention. With HB 116 now signed into law, this legislation represents a major step forward for Texas parents.

Moving Forward

As Texas parents face increasing scrutiny and intrusion from government institutions, these legislative champions have boldly stood in the gap. Their leadership reflects a growing consensus: the best place for children is with their parents, and those families deserve the full protection of the law. With this session, momentum has clearly shifted in favor of parental rights—turning years of advocacy into real, lasting change.

We are deeply grateful to every Senator and Representative who fought for families this session—and to Speaker Dustin Burrows, whose strategic vision and unwavering commitment made this progress possible.

Now, it’s up to Texas voters to carry the torch forward by passing the Parental Rights Amendment this November.