89R17876 TYPED By: Parker S.B. No. 2165 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 263, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 263.4012 to read as follows: Sec. 263.4012. PROHIBITING DISMISSAL WHEN CHILD IS MISSING. Notwithstanding Section 263.401, the court shall retain jurisdiction and may not dismiss the suit as required by that section if the court finds the child is missing from the child's substitute care provider. SECTION 2. Section 263.501(g), Family Code, is amended to read as follows: (g) Unless the child is adopted or permanent managing conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than the department, a [A] court required to conduct permanency hearings for a child for whom the department has been appointed permanent managing conservator may not dismiss a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by the department regarding the child while the child is: (1) committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or released under the supervision of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department; or (2) missing from the child's substitute care provider[, unless the child is adopted or permanent managing conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than the department]. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.