Family Freedom Project Priority Bills

Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment

The Parental Rights Amendment to the Texas Constitution (SJR 34 by Senator Hughes and HJR 112 by Representative Frank) would enshrine the right of parents to raise their children for future generations. Right now, the rights of Texas parents rest almost entirely in the hands of unelected federal judges, who come and go regularly and could change their minds on parental rights at any time.

  • SJR 34 was passed unanimously by the Senate.
  • HJR 112 received a unanimous vote in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.
  • Read more about this bill.

Parental Presumption Bill

This bill (SB 2052 by Senator Birdwell and HB 4656 by Representative Vasut) reinforces parental rights by establishing clearly in Texas law that judges must give preference to parental decisions regarding a parent’s child. It provides clear legal standards for overcoming this presumption, ensuring that parental rights are only infringed on when necessary to protect a child from significant harm.

  • SB 2052 passed out of Committee and is set to be heard in the Senate.
  • HB 4656 is set to be heard in the House Subcommittee on Family and Fiduciary Relationships
  • Read more about this bill.

CPS Evidence Bill

This bill (SB 1971 by Senator Middleton and HB 3758 by Representative Schatzline) addresses significant deficiencies in the quality of evidence CPS currently uses to prosecute families, evidence that would never be allowed in almost any other type of lawsuit. In a nutshell, this bill would require that CPS comply with the rules of evidence that are already used in criminal cases. FFP is working with various coalition partners to support this bill. 

  • SB 1971 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Jurisprudence Committee.
  • HB 3758 has been heard in the House Subcommittee on Family and Fiduciary Relationships.

Additional Bills Family Freedom Project is Working On and Supporting

Child Abuse Registry Reform

The “Child Abuse Registry” is a blacklist which CPS places parents on when CPS believes they may have committed abuse or neglect. CPS has complete authority to place families on the list irrespective of whether the family was found guilty or innocent in court, and even without the family’s knowledge. Placement on the list can result in parents failing background checks and losing their jobs. This bill (SB 1195 and SB 1196 by Senator Birdwell and HB 2070 by Representative Hull) is designed to ensure that families only go on the registry after having actually been found guilty and that there is a clear process for them to petition to get off the registry when appropriate.

  • SB 1195 has been heard in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
  • SB 1196 has been heard in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
  • HB 2070 has been heard in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

Early Attorney Appointment for Low Income Families

This bill (SB 2501 by Senator Zafarini) would create a grant program to provide early legal representation to families being investigated by CPS. Currently, low-income families can receive court-appointed attorneys in CPS cases, but only after CPS has already taken the family to court. Early appointment of attorneys would allow low-income families to receive legal support immediately upon a CPS investigation being opened and would increase the chances that the issue can be resolved without going to court and without removing the child. 

  • SB 2501 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Reforming Termination of Parental Rights

This bill (SB 1987 by Senator Hall and HB 3281 and HB 116 by Representative Dutton) reforms the grounds for termination of parental rights to ensure that parental rights are only terminated based on conduct that actually harmed the child or put the child at significant risk. Currently, numerous grounds for termination exist by which CPS can terminate a parent’s rights based on conduct that did not actually cause any harm or threat of harm to the child.

  • SB 1987 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Jurisprudence Committee.
  • HB 3281 is set for a hearing in the House Subcommittee on Family and Fiduciary Relationships.
  • HB 116 was voted unanimously out of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.

Returning Children in CPS Cases


Currently, courts in CPS cases are given multiple deadlines throughout a case where they are required to return children home unless there is a continuing danger in the home that would make it unsafe for the child to return. However, courts often ignore this rule. This bill (HB 2399 by Representative Leo Willson and SB 1093 by Senator Sparks) strengthens the law by requiring courts to make detailed, specific findings that explain exactly what danger in the home prevented them from returning the child. This allows families to hold judges accountable if they keep the child even when no danger exists in the home.