The Senate Committee on Jurisprudence convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 2501, which aims to enhance the rights of indigent parents in child welfare cases. The bill proposes that these parents be allowed to select their own attorney ad litem, provided the attorney is licensed and qualified. Additionally, it would enable parents to terminate the appointment of any previously assigned attorney when their chosen attorney files a notice of appearance. The selected attorney would receive the same compensation as court-appointed attorneys.

The committee reviewed a substitute version of the bill, which includes provisions to prevent courts from influencing attorney selection due to financial interests or favoritism. This substitute also clarifies the court's responsibilities when transitioning from a court-appointed attorney to a parent-selected attorney.

During the meeting, several witnesses provided testimony in support of the bill. Julia Hatcher, president of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys, emphasized the importance of allowing parents to choose their own counsel, arguing that it would lead to better representation in high-stakes cases. She suggested expanding the bill's scope to include attorneys appointed in court-ordered services cases, not just those in termination proceedings.

Jeremy Newman, vice president of the Family Freedom Project, echoed Hatcher's sentiments, highlighting the frequent concerns from families about their court-appointed attorneys not adequately representing them. He advocated for the bill as a means to empower parents to select attorneys who they believe will advocate effectively on their behalf.

Andrew Brown, vice president of Policy with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, reinforced the necessity of quality legal counsel in child protective services cases, noting that early access to counsel significantly improves outcomes for families. He praised the bill for removing barriers that limit indigent parents' access to competent legal representation.

The committee members expressed their support for the bill, confirming that the compensation for the selected attorney would align with what counties currently pay for appointed lawyers. The discussions concluded without any questions from the committee, indicating a strong consensus on the bill's potential benefits for families involved in the child welfare system. The committee plans to move forward with the bill, which aims to enhance legal representation for vulnerable families in Texas.