Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives DFPS the resources or the authority to do that.
• OK, Audrey O'Neal, uh, with DFPS. So Audrey O'Neal, DFPS resource witness, neutral on the bill.
• The Texas Family Code requires DFPS to maintain a contingency plan.
• Audrey O'Neal, DFPS resource witness on the bill. Happy to answer any questions.
• It would be for an employee of DFPS doing work. It wouldn't be um.

Bills: HB 1531, HB 2667, HB 2809, HB 2865, HB 3589, HB 3151, HB 3748, HB 3750, HB 4419, HB 4643, HB 3597, HB 4129, HB 4130, HB 4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• All three bills complement each other, and all three are needed by DFPS and the state.
• This bill This gives DFPS the resources or the authority to do that.
• Okay, Audrey O'Neill with DFPS. So, Audrey O'Neill, DFPS resource witness, neutral on the bill.
• Audrey O'Neill, DFPS Resource Witness, on the bill. Yes, happy to answer any questions.
• DFPS caseworkers.

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• In June, DFPS will go live, and then in August and September, In June, DFPS will go live.
• DFPS success.
• George Kanata is a DFPS employee.
• You heard from DFPS earlier this morning.
• The referral came to us from DFPS.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill that we previously heard that relates to procedures and grounds related to the removal involving DFPS
• I've personally met with members of the DFPS.
• And the record shows you as Audrey O'Neill, and you're the DFPS resource witness on the... Bill.
• Speaking to the licensed side, just from the placement perspective, DFPS licenses the operation.
• I'm sorry, HHSC licenses the operation, and then DFPS makes the placement.

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• And the child, it's not a DFPS case? No, the question is the child. Is, is it with the child, um...
• That's occurring with DFPS, for this particular bill.
• So in a DFPS case. And I apologize I get too far into the weeds here.
• , and DFPS paid those out, too.
• be DFPS. Sorry, Department of Family and Protective Services. OK.

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• Y'all can bring up whoever with HHSC or DFPS. Do we have DFPS or just HHSC? Thank you.
• Lisa Caney with DFPS. I'm the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations on the bill. Great.
• If we could, I think we have someone from DFPS come forward, please.
• When they receive the letter that the kind lady from DFPS mentioned, I wish I could remember...
• These parents do not get the letters that are sent out by DFPS.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• I think DFPS might be able to talk more clearly about that. Thank you.
• Audrey O'Neill with DFPS. The front door to DFPS, all things DFPS.
• Audrey O'Neill with DFPS. The front door to DFPS, all things DFPS.
• DFPS does provide some post-adopt services.
• The average age of removal at DFPS is four.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So first being for DFPS number 6, under Strengthened agency operations, lease replacement was pended.
• OK, we'll begin with the DFPS requested writers. Those begin on page 27 of your packet.
• The second one appropriates it directly to DFPS for these purposes. That's the main difference.
• I personally think it's a more appropriate place to, to, you know, fund it towards DFPS for the sole
• reason of, you know, interoperability between the contractors and DFPS just to make a seamless transition

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Audrey O'Neal with DFPS.
• Uh, the front door to DFPS, all things DFPS, is statewide intake, and as Commissioner Muth shared, uh
• Here that in addition to DFPS, post adopt services, um, the Heart Gallery of Texas, who DFPS collaborates
• And families to DFPS.
• So our average age of removal at DFPS is 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is there anyone here from DFPS? I don’t...
• O'Neill with DFPS on the bill. Great, super.
• The angle of getting the data from DFPS is interesting.
• DFPS receives all of these reports.
• So all of that information is already accessible to DFPS.

Bills: SB128, SB640, SB672, SB904, SB1141, SB1263, SB1525, SB1528, SB2041, SB2306, SB2308, SB2357, SB2446, SB2695, SB2857, SB2891, SB2583

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• But the other is... ...majority of investigations that DFPS conducts.
• Access currently is limited very, very narrowly to DFPS, ...is limited very, very narrowly to DFPS and
• DFPS does perform checks for potential DFPS employees, juvenile justice employees, kinship placements
• No one registered for the monitoring charge on the DFPS Central Registry.
• If not, we will close testimony on the DFPS Central Registry.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Particularly in terms of DFPS cases, and what the...
• DFPS case? Yeah.
• These changes are in alignment with current... ...DFPS process.
• To answer the question, DFPS has a children and youth missing from DFPS conservatorship and human rights
• We don't need DFPS to do that, and they don't do that.

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• And to be very clear, DFPS provides extended care services until the age of 21.
• To be very clear, DFPS provides extended care services until the age of 21.
• This is a challenge for DFPS in many areas.
• It's actually DFPS that subcontracts with PAL providers.
• DFPS writes the curriculum and creates it, and that is what is legislated.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this happens more often in, in termination cases, uh, particularly in terms of DFPS cases, um, and
• These changes are in alignment with current DFPS process.
• However, we are seeing a problem with kids that are in the custody of DFPS running away.
• To Thank you, Chairman Dutton, and to answer that question, uh, DFPS has a Children and Youth Missing
• We don't need DFPS to do that, and they don't do that.

Bills: HCR 10

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism

Transcript Highlights:

• DFPS is here as a resource if anybody has questions, and I'm happy to answer some too.
• We talked about with DFPS and Commissioner Mute that being probably her top priority for the budget,
• If DFPS could come forward, please. I think it's Eric. Thank you all.
• Network that's called the FACN, Physicians Conduct for DFPS in abuse and neglect investigations.
• The DFPS case may not provide a separate FACN consultation.

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to DFPS cases, this essentially places the burden of criminal investigation on those DFPS
• DFPS will get involved in that case later on.
• This issue is a mandatory timeline for disclosures for DFPS attorneys.
• DFPS cases run on a very tight schedule. statutory timeline, and it's not unusual for a CPS adversary
• I have handled DFPS cases, except for the year or so I was at the Attorney General's office.

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent parents and children in cases involving DFPS all over the state.
• One is concerns that DFPS is overly reliant upon it because of the... Vice Chair Perry.
• One is concerns that DFPS is overly reliant upon it because of the One is concerns that DFPS is overly
• The problem was the DFPS caseworker said she didn't do it exactly the way she should have.
• The problem was the DFPS caseworker said she didn't do it exactly the way she should have.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Government code, DFPS has limited enforcement authority for poor contractor performance.
• Currently, DFPS uses methods of technical assistance, corrective action plans, and increased monitoring
• will be governed by the Commission composed of The TWC Chair, the HHSC Executive Commissioner, the DFPS
• Forcing a long wait time will inevitably cost the state and DFPS more, and the cost could potentially
• She has adopted a child from DFPS and from that system.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534, HB163, HB216

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not know, uh, what other items DFPS may be using the information for. All right. OK.
• This, this is somebody who, when they have a service plan that's ordered by the court, you know, DFPS
• Counselor without thinking that DFPS is going to use whatever they say against them.
• In regard to DFPS cases, this essentially places the burden of criminal investigation on those DFPS investigators
• They don't have to, but DFPS in every case begins with a petition to terminate the rights of parents.