Texas's Laws Regarding Adoptions Records
Texas
Statute: Fam. Code § 261.201
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
• CPS/State Agencies
• Courts/Judges
• Law Enforcement
• Attorneys, GAL's
• Parents/Guardians
• Subject of Reports
Persons without access to records
• Agencies From Other States
• Grand Juries
• Attorneys General/Prosecutors
• Physicians
• Reporters of Abuse
• Researchers
• Employers
• Coroners
• Review Teams
• Treatment Providers
• Public/Any Person
Other Adoptive parents Persons
authorized by court order
Decision-Making for the Permanent Placement of Children
Schedule of Hearings
Citation: §§ 40-11-12.1; 40-11-12.2
A permanency hearing shall be held:
- Within 12 months of the child's placement in care; at least every 12
months thereafter
- Within 30 days after a finding that reasonable efforts to reunify are not
required
Persons Entitled to Attend Hearings
Citation: § 40-11.12.1
- All parties
- The foster parents
- Any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child
Determinations Made at Hearings
Citation: § 40-11.12.1
- The appropriateness of the service plan
- What services have been offered
- Any further efforts that will promote the best interests of the child
Permanency Options
Citation: § 40-11.12.2
- Return to the parent
- Adoption
- Legal guardianship
- Placement with a fit and willing relative
- Another planned permanent living arrangement
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
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