Monitoring the Session

HB 4377

DFPS must destroy paternity DNA when done

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Denise VillalobosRHouse 34

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

Labs delete the genetic information too.

The bill requires the Department of Family and Protective Services, and any lab it contracts with, to promptly destroy DNA samples and delete related genetic information once a paternity test has served its purpose. It touches parents and children whose DNA is collected in child welfare cases, plus the department's contracted testing labs. The department keeps only the paternity test results, which stay confidential, and labs must purge stored samples and data by January 1, 2026.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4377 · 2025-03-11

SOLD BY

Rep. Denise VillalobosRHouse 34 Rep. Giovanni CapriglioneRHouse 98 Rep. Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

ITEM

relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

WHAT IT DOES

Labs delete the genetic information too.

The bill requires the Department of Family and Protective Services, and any lab it contracts with, to promptly destroy DNA samples and delete related genetic information once a paternity test has served its purpose. It touches parents and children whose DNA is collected in child welfare cases, plus the department's contracted testing labs. The department keeps only the paternity test results, which stay confidential, and labs must purge stored samples and data by January 1, 2026.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Human Services
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Committee substitute considered in committee
  10. Reported favorably as substituted
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amended 1-Villalobos
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Record vote RV#1947
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#2031
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Health & Human Services
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Left pending in committee
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Vote taken in committee
  33. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  34. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Placed on intent calendar
  37. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Signed in the Senate
  49. Sent to the Governor
  50. Signed by the Governor
  51. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 131 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 10, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 25, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Denise Villalobos

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$555KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$456KAssociated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$327K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$554,928.87

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$554,928.87

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$519,928.87
Total
$554,928.87
advertising $422,488.50mail $75,707.02polling $21,210.35fundraiser $523.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101011167, 101031617, 101061183, 101069345, 101071979.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$455,570.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$455,570.00

Cash
$150,000.00
Paid by others
$305,570.00
Total
$455,570.00
canvassing $190,000.00advertising $98,870.00polling $16,700.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 21, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069345, 101071979.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$326,800.00

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$326,800.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$326,800.00
Total
$326,800.00
television $225,050.00radio $44,200.00mailer $22,600.00polling $16,700.00Other filed descriptions $10,750.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · May 4, 2026 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101061183, 101069345, 101071979.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$554,928.87

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$519,928.87
Total
$554,928.87
advertising $422,488.50mail $75,707.02polling $21,210.35fundraiser $523.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101011167, 101031617, 101061183, 101069345, 101071979.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$455,570.00

Cash
$150,000.00
Paid by others
$305,570.00
Total
$455,570.00
canvassing $190,000.00advertising $98,870.00polling $16,700.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 21, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069345, 101071979.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$326,800.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$326,800.00
Total
$326,800.00
television $225,050.00radio $44,200.00mailer $22,600.00polling $16,700.00Other filed descriptions $10,750.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · May 4, 2026 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101061183, 101069345, 101071979.

Votes5

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Hall moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4377 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Hall moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4377 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 10, 2025

Yea
131
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
16
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2031

HB 4377 was passed by (Record 2031): 131 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 131 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 16 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 9, 2025

Yea
132
Nay
2
Present, not voting
2
Absent
7
Excused
7
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1947

CSHB 4377, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1947): 132 Yeas, 2 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 132 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses2
For
1
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • Self1 registration

On

  • DFPS Resource Witness1 registration
Sources

2 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 11, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Bob HallRSenate 2

House committee · Human Services · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Health & Human Services · Committee vote 7 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Family--Child Protection

Health--General

DNA

PATERNITY

FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 199 words

89R13985 RAL-D

By: Villalobos
H.B. No. 4377

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting the retention of certain genetic material

and genetic information by the Department of Family and Protective

Services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,

is amended by adding Section 40.084 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.084. RETENTION OF GENETIC INFORMATION PROHIBITED.

(a) In this section:

(1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.

(2) "Genetic information" means information related

to the genetic characteristics of an individual or the individual's

family that is derived from the results of a genetic analysis.

(3) "Genetic material" means blood or another specimen

that contains DNA.

(b) The department shall promptly destroy any genetic

material and delete any genetic information obtained from an

individual for the purpose of determining paternity after the

purpose for which the sample was obtained is accomplished.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Department of

Family and Protective Services shall destroy all genetic material

and delete genetic information as required by Section 40.084, Human

Resources Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.