Bill > SB1195

This bill establishes a comprehensive procedure for individuals to request removal of their names from the central registry of child abuse and neglect maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The bill creates an expungement review panel composed of the department's general counsel, chief consumer affairs officer, and a board-certified State Bar member specializing in child welfare or family law to evaluate removal requests. Individuals can only request name removal after two years from being added to the registry, with a maximum of three hearing requests for a single finding of child abuse or neglect within a 10-year period. The bill prohibits requests from individuals whose abuse or neglect resulted in child fatality, led to termination of parental rights, or who have subsequent substantiated findings of abuse. The review panel must consider factors such as the severity of the original incident, the person's age, actions taken to prevent future abuse, and whether the person still poses a risk. The bill also provides for automatic removal from the registry after 18 years or, for minors, after two years if certain conditions are met. All review proceedings and documents are kept confidential, and panel members are granted immunity for good-faith actions. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to most child abuse and neglect cases, with specific exclusions for child-care facilities, schools, and certain other settings.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1195