Relating to the provision of adoption cost information by a licensed child-placing agency.
Summary
SB 2306 requires every licensed child-placing agency in Texas to post adoption cost information on its website. The posted information must include an itemized list of each cost associated with an adoption, giving prospective adoptive parents a clearer view of the financial components involved before they begin or continue the process.
The bill is narrowly focused on transparency rather than changing adoption eligibility, agency licensing standards, or the substance of adoption law. It adds a new section to the Family Code requiring online disclosure of adoption-related fees and costs, and it takes effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Chapter 162 of the Texas Family Code by adding Section 162.605, creating a new disclosure requirement for licensed child-placing agencies. Agencies will need to maintain website postings that itemize adoption costs, which may affect how they present fees, administrative charges, and other expenses to the public. The law does not set or cap adoption costs, but it may influence agency compliance practices and consumer access to pricing information.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 31-0 and the House 142-0, with two members present not voting, indicating strong bipartisan agreement. The voting history suggests the measure was viewed as a straightforward transparency or consumer-information bill rather than a contentious policy change.
Contention
No committee transcript or floor debate is provided, and the recorded votes show little to no opposition. Based on the bill text, any potential points of contention would likely center on whether requiring itemized online cost disclosures could increase administrative burden for agencies or expose sensitive pricing structures, but no such objections are reflected in the available legislative history. The absence of recorded debate suggests the bill was not materially contested.