✅Relating to the notification of certain persons concerning certain events related to children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

HB 694

✅ HB 694: Faster family notifications in child welfare cases

What it says it does:
HB 694 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to notify parents and their attorneys within 24 to 48 hours when major events occur in a child’s case, such as placement moves, medical changes, or new prescriptions.

What it actually changes:
The bill shortens DFPS’s notification window from 10 days to 48 hours and adds the parent’s attorney to the contact list, even if the parent cannot be located. It also requires documentation of every notification attempt in the child’s case file, improving transparency in court proceedings.

Who is pushing for it:
Support came from child welfare advocates, family defense attorneys, and nonprofits including Texas CASA, Texans Care for Children, and the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys. No organized opposition appeared in the record.

Who benefits:
Parents and attorneys now receive updates quickly enough to act before court hearings. Judges gain clearer insight into what is happening with each child, and children benefit from stronger representation and less confusion about placement or care.

Who gets left out or exposed:
The bill includes no direct penalties if DFPS misses the notification window. Implementation still depends on caseworker compliance and internal oversight rather than a formal audit process.

Why this matters long term:
Faster and more consistent updates reduce mistakes and give families a fairer chance in court. It also sets a precedent for adding time-based accountability in other DFPS policies.

What to watch next:
Lawmakers may revisit oversight next session to add public reporting or audit requirements to ensure the 48 hour rule is followed statewide.

Bottom line:
HB 694 is a solid reform that increases transparency in child welfare without hidden carveouts or power grabs. The key test will be whether DFPS follows through in practice.

#HB694 #TexasPolicy #ChildWelfare #Transparency #KnowBeforeYouVote