Senator Parker laid out a committee substitute to Senate Bill 21 65 that would require a trial in temporary managing conservatorship cases to commence within 180 days of a child being found.

The change is aimed at reducing delays for children in conservatorship. “The substitute simply clarifies that in temporary managing conservatorship cases, the trial must commence within 180 days of the child being found,” Senator Parker said, adding that the bill targets children “that are falling through the cracks.”

Chair Hughes noted the committee substitute was before the panel and that, when a quorum is present, the committee would likely adopt and move it forward. No formal vote was recorded; the chair announced the bill was “left pending at this time.”

Because the committee did not take final action during the session, the substitute remains under consideration and no change to practice or statute has yet taken effect. The transcript shows only the committee-level presentation and the chair’s administrative comment; no witnesses or implementation details were provided.

Bills left pending at the committee stage are customarily scheduled for future consideration; the committee did not specify next steps or an implementation timeline at this hearing.