Monitoring the Session

SB 2165

missing foster kids keep their cases open

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Tan ParkerRSenate 12

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

No dismissal deadline when the child has gone missing from care.

The bill bars courts from dismissing a state child-welfare case under the usual dismissal deadline when the court finds the child has gone missing from the child's foster or other substitute care placement. It also bars dismissal of a case where the state holds permanent custody while the child is missing from placement, adding that to the existing rule for children held by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Children who run away or vanish from foster care stay under court oversight until they are found, adopted, or placed with another permanent custodian.

Labels

Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 1045 by Rep. Hinojosa (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Tan Parker (R) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Ann Johnson (D) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2165 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Tan ParkerRSenate 12

ITEM

relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

WHAT IT DOES

No dismissal deadline when the child has gone missing from care.

The bill bars courts from dismissing a state child-welfare case under the usual dismissal deadline when the court finds the child has gone missing from the child's foster or other substitute care placement. It also bars dismissal of a case where the state holds permanent custody while the child is missing from placement, adding that to the existing rule for children held by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Children who run away or vanish from foster care stay under court oversight until they are found, adopted, or placed with another permanent custodian.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 30, 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. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Jurisprudence
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Left pending in committee
  11. Considered in public hearing
  12. Vote taken in committee
  13. Reported favorably as substituted
  14. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  15. Committee report printed and distributed
  16. Placed on intent calendar
  17. Not again placed on intent calendar
  18. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  19. Laid before the Senate
  20. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  21. Vote recorded in Journal
  22. Three day rule suspended
  23. Record vote
  24. Read 3rd time
  25. Passed
  26. Record vote
  27. Reported engrossed
  28. Received from the Senate
  29. Read first time
  30. Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
  31. Considered in formal meeting
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  33. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  34. Committee report distributed
  35. Committee report sent to Calendars
  36. Considered in Calendars
  37. Placed on General State Calendar
  38. Read 2nd time
  39. Passed to 3rd reading
  40. Record vote RV#3249
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote RV#3329
  44. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  45. House passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the Senate
  48. Signed in the House
  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 · 134 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 9, 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

Tan Parker

Donors

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC$40KTexas REALTORS Political Action Committee$25KThe Peck Family Trust$25K

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 28, 2024 to Jun 29, 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.

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC$40,000.00

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

Also funds 10 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 17, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Jun 25, 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: 101060289.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$25,250.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$25,250.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$250.00
Total
$25,250.00
fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 2025. 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: 100986801, 101009904, 101031351.

The Peck Family Trust$25,000.00

The Peck Family Trust

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. 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: 100986801.

Money

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

×

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

Also funds 10 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 17, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Jun 25, 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: 101060289.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$25,250.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$250.00
Total
$25,250.00
fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 2025. 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: 100986801, 101009904, 101031351.

×

The Peck Family Trust

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. 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: 100986801.

Votes5

House May 23, 2025

Yea
134
Nay
0
Present, not voting
3
Absent
6
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3329

SB 2165 was passed by (Record 3329): 134 Yeas, 0 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 134 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
10
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3249

SB 2165 was passed to third reading by (Record 3249): 137 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 9, 2025

Final passage

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2165 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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 9, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2165 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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 9, 2025

Passage to engrossment

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

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

Sources

CSSB 2165 (Parker) Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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.

Witnesses5
For
3
Against
0
On
2
Names

For

  • Texas CASA1 registration
  • Texprotects1 registration
  • United Ways of Texas1 registration

On

  • Dept of Family and Protective Services1 registration
  • Self1 registration
Sources

5 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 30, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 1045

by Rep. Hinojosa, different lead author · Died in committee · same text

Introduced text

Last action, Mar 2, 2023: Referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 10, 2025

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

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

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

Sponsors
Ann JohnsonDHouse 134

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Jurisprudence · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Companion

HB 4805 by Johnson (identical)

Subjects

Courts--General

Family--Child Protection

Family--Parent & Child

CONSERVATORSHIP

MISSING CHILDREN

Text

The text as introduced · 244 words

89R17876 TYPED

By: Parker
S.B. No. 2165

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting

the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family

and Protective Services.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 263, Family Code, is

amended by adding Section 263.4012 to read as follows:

Sec. 263.4012. PROHIBITING DISMISSAL WHEN CHILD IS MISSING.

Notwithstanding Section 263.401, the court shall retain

jurisdiction and may not dismiss the suit as required by that

section if the court finds the child is missing from the child's

substitute care provider.

SECTION 2. Section 263.501(g), Family Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(g) Unless the child is adopted or permanent managing

conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than

the department, a [ A ] court required to conduct permanency hearings

for a child for whom the department has been appointed permanent

managing conservator may not dismiss a suit affecting the

parent-child relationship filed by the department regarding the

child while the child is :

(1) committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

or released under the supervision of the Texas Juvenile Justice

Department ; or

(2) missing from the child's substitute care

provider [ , unless the child is adopted or permanent managing

conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than

the department ].

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