Bill > HB3515

This bill, known as the Safe Haven Act, introduces new regulations for parental reunification therapy in Texas family law cases. The bill defines parental reunification therapy as any therapy, treatment, program, or service intended to repair a child's relationship with a parent. It prohibits courts from mandating such therapy without the consent of both parents and establishes strict guidelines to protect children's safety. Specifically, courts cannot order reunification therapy that involves prohibiting contact with other parents, conservators, or family members, mandating overnight stays or out-of-state travel, transferring child custody, using transportation services that might use force or compromise child safety, or employing verbal abuse, physical force, or isolation tactics. The bill requires reunification therapy providers to have explicit, signed contracts detailing their processes and protocols, with all participating parties fully informed. If a provider is believed to have violated these requirements, a complaint can be filed with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors or another appropriate licensing authority. The legislation applies to ongoing and future parent-child relationship suits and can serve as grounds for modifying existing court orders, with the bill taking effect either immediately upon a two-thirds legislative vote or on September 1, 2025.