86th Texas Legislative Session

23 Bills pertaining to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (“CPS”) have been filed so far this session. Of interest is HB 743 regarding the mandatory appointment of an attorney ad litem for a relative requesting custody of a child. This may be a relative who has temporary placement of a child during the pendency of a CPS case or a relative, who for whatever reason, CPS determines is not appropriate. Relatives with legal standing in a CPS case may be a step toward reducing the number of Texas kids in foster care.