The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding child welfare and family reunification in Texas. The meeting focused on proposed legislative changes aimed at improving outcomes for children in the foster care system.

The session began with a review of recent statistics indicating a 75% family outcome rate in the previous year, down from 85% the year before that. While not all cases resulted in reunification, the committee emphasized the importance of ensuring safety for children and the need for effective family support systems.

Senator Sparks raised concerns regarding the bill's provisions, specifically the proposed "beyond reasonable doubt" standard and the concept of "active efforts" in casework. He sought input from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to clarify how these changes could enhance the chances of successful family reunifications.

Stephanie B. from DFPS expressed support for the bill and highlighted the need for a shift towards active efforts as a standard in casework. She acknowledged the challenges in quantifying the resources required for implementation, particularly given the limited data on Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) cases, which currently number fewer than 20 in Texas.

The discussion underscored the complexity of balancing legal standards with practical casework practices. DFPS suggested that while the bill could move forward with the proposed standards, it might be prudent to avoid tying them down legally until more data could be gathered to assess the impact on resources and outcomes.

As the meeting concluded, the committee recognized the necessity of further analysis and data collection to inform future legislative decisions. The discussions highlighted a commitment to improving the child welfare system while ensuring that the needs of families and children remain at the forefront of policy considerations.