Texas recently concluded its second-called special session, and the legislative agenda items that were included in the special session agenda can be found here. Upbring will provide updates related to policy implementations, including regulatory/agency, and executive updates. For a full outline of the legislative process, visit here.
89th Regular Legislative Session
Number of bills filed
Bills signed by the Governor
Bills filed with no signature
Passed, Vetoed or Supported
Unless otherwise noted, all bills signed by the Governor went into effect Sept. 1, 2025. Upbring priorities are listed first, followed by those of the Child Protection Roundtable (CPRT), of which Upbring is a member.
Upbring Priority to Recognize its Front Line Workers as First Responders
Status: Adopted by the House
Honors Upbring employees as first responders for their work with children and families in need. Recognized March 26, 2025, during Upbring Advocacy Day.
Virtual Education
Status: Signed by the Governor,
effective immediately
Enables virtual and hybrid instruction under Texas Education Agency guidelines. Expands access to dual credit and personalized learning, supporting academic wellbeing for at-risk students, including those served by Trinity Charter Schools (TCS).
Strong Families Tax Credit
Status: Signed by the Governor
Creates a Strong Families Tax Credit for businesses that donate to eligible nonprofits, including those serving pregnant, parenting, kinship and adoptive families. Enhances nonprofit capacity to deliver trauma-informed care, mental health support and family preservation services.
Foster Care Liability Coverage
Status: Signed by the Governor
Clarifies protections for nonprofit foster care providers under the Charitable Immunity and Liability Act. Helps ensure continued access to liability insurance by distinguishing responsible providers from bad actors.
Increase for CPS Prevention Funding
Status: Left pending in committee
Proposed codifying Upbring’s CPS prevention program concept. Although the bill did not advance, many of its key ideas — targeted services, evaluation and supportive care — are reflected in the expansion of Texas Families First.
- Expanded to include at-risk children not under a court order
- Allows Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs) to provide enhanced family support
- Funded at $23 million
- Implementation details pending DFPS rulemaking
- Codified into statute
- Funded at $70 million
- Services include parenting and adoption support, life-skills training, housing assistance and referrals
Relating to reimbursement rates for child-care providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program.
Status: Signed by the Governor
Allows local workforce boards to reimburse Texas Rising Star child care providers at maximum rates based on rating level, supporting quality care access while protecting service targets.
Relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole of certain inmates serving sentences for trafficking offenses involving child victims and disabled individuals.
Status: Signed by the Governor
Makes individuals convicted of human trafficking ineligible for parole if the victim is a child or a person with a disability.
Relating to the regulation of child welfare, including licensure, community-based care contractors, family homes, and child-care facilities.
Status: Signed by the Governor
Eliminates unnecessary or outdated regulations for Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs) and other child welfare contractors, including CPA licensure requirements, tuberculosis testing and other measures. Follow-up to SB 593 (2023).
Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.
Status: Signed by the Governor
Appropriates $5 million for a West Texas community-based care (CBC) pilot as part of the state’s CBC expansion.
Relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse.
Status: Signed by the Governor
Also known as Trey’s Law, this legislation invalidates confidentiality agreements that prevent individuals from disclosing sexual abuse.
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.
Status: Set for public vote (constitutional amendment)
Would allow judges to deny bail to individuals charged with violent crimes, including rape and human trafficking, if determined to be a risk to public safety.
It’s essential that legislators hear directly from their constituents—including families, children, educators and advocates—to fully understand how their decisions affect local communities. Your voice matters. Whether you reach out to your representative, testify at a committee hearing or share your story, every action helps create a better future for Texas children.
Use our VoterVoice tool to contact your legislators, support key bills and stay updated on advocacy opportunities during the legislative session.
Join Upbring in urging lawmakers to support the Foster Care Tax Credit—an essential policy that helps families open their homes to children in care.
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Director, Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
8305 Cross Park Drive, Austin TX 78754
[email protected] | 512-529-0157