BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1792 89R10295 DNC-D By: Middleton Health & Human Services 3/21/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 1792 addresses the urgent need for safer and clearer procedures for the relinquishment of infants in Texas. Under current law, emergency infant care providers can take custody of infants up to 60 days old, but some parents in crisis may still face difficulties beyond this timeframe, leading to unsafe abandonment situations. By extending the age limit to one year and establishing that parents who voluntarily relinquish their child automatically forfeit parental rights, this bill ensures greater protection for vulnerable infants and streamlines the adoption process. S.B. 1792 enhances Texas' commitment to child welfare by providing a secure and legal option for parents while ensuring abandoned children can quickly transition to safe and stable homes. As proposed, S.B. 1792 amends current law relating to the emergency possession of certain abandoned children by designated emergency infant care providers and the termination of parental rights to those children. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 262.302, Family Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: (a) Requires a designated emergency infant care provider, without a court order, to take possession of a child who appears to be younger than one year old, rather than 60 days old or younger, if certain conditions are met. (a-1) Provides that a parent who voluntarily delivers the parent's child to a designated emergency infant care provider under Subsection (a) is considered to have voluntarily relinquished the parent's parental rights to the child. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1792
89R10295 DNC-D By: Middleton
Health & Human Services
3/21/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1792
89R10295 DNC-D
By: Middleton
Health & Human Services
3/21/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1792 addresses the urgent need for safer and clearer procedures for the relinquishment of infants in Texas. Under current law, emergency infant care providers can take custody of infants up to 60 days old, but some parents in crisis may still face difficulties beyond this timeframe, leading to unsafe abandonment situations. By extending the age limit to one year and establishing that parents who voluntarily relinquish their child automatically forfeit parental rights, this bill ensures greater protection for vulnerable infants and streamlines the adoption process. S.B. 1792 enhances Texas' commitment to child welfare by providing a secure and legal option for parents while ensuring abandoned children can quickly transition to safe and stable homes.
As proposed, S.B. 1792 amends current law relating to the emergency possession of certain abandoned children by designated emergency infant care providers and the termination of parental rights to those children.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 262.302, Family Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Requires a designated emergency infant care provider, without a court order, to take possession of a child who appears to be younger than one year old, rather than 60 days old or younger, if certain conditions are met.
(a-1) Provides that a parent who voluntarily delivers the parent's child to a designated emergency infant care provider under Subsection (a) is considered to have voluntarily relinquished the parent's parental rights to the child.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.