Handbook Revision, October 1, 2025
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on October 1, 2025.
On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS Handbook.
See:
Child Protective Services Revisions
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Child Protective Services Revisions
Time Frames for Recurring Background Checks (PATS 14369/00058)
This policy revision modifies the time frame for recurring DPS name-based criminal history background checks when there is an initial FBI fingerprint rejection. In this situation, the time frame is changing from every 24 months to an annual requirement for Texas caregivers.
See:
7421.2 Relying on a Previously Conducted Fingerprint Check for an Initial Check.
7421.3 Time Frames for Recurring Checks.
Redacted Records to Give to Prospective Adoptive Parents (PATS 14418/00077)
This handbook revision updates policy toreflect the information in Senate Bill 500, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session.
Redacted records will be provided within 90 days of request by a child placing agency or prospective adoptive parents. The prospective adoptive parents must sign a non-disclosure agreement before viewing the redacted records.
See:
6941.3 Sharing Other DFPS Records with the Prospective Adoptive Parents
Required Notifications (PATS 00115)
This revision updates policy about the caseworker’s required notifications.
See:
4124 Provide Advance Notice to AAL, GAL, and CASA, and Parent’s Attorney
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4143.2 Notify the AAL, GAL, and CASA, and Parent’s Attorney of an Emergency Placement
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6133.24 Contacts and Visits with the Child, Parent, Kinship, Relatives, and Caregiver
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6151.3 Notification Requirements and Schedule
Attempted Placements, Paternity Testing, and Court-Ordered Service Plans (PATS 00125)
As a result of legislation passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, policy was revised on the following topics:
- Notifying the court about attempted placements (Senate Bill 1398)
- Paternity testing for a child in foster care (House Bills 5149 and 5351)
- Court-ordered service plans (House Bill 116)
Note: The update related to court-ordered service plans is a deletion of the relevant section.
See:
5322.2 Notifying the Court About a Child Who Is Without a Placement
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5351.1 Referring Cases to the Office of the Attorney General for Paternity Testing
5351.2 Paternity Testing by the OAG and Court Ruling
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5564.15 Court-Ordered Service Plan
5564.15 5564.16 Drug Use
5564.16 5564.17 Alleged Father
5564.17 5564.18 Mental Illness
5564.18 5564.19 Relinquishment
Weapons, Firearms, Explosive Materials, and Projectiles (PATS 00127)
This policy revision modifies the existing Foster and Adoptive Home Development (FAD) policy to comply with House Bill (HB) 1403 from the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, which took effect on September 1st, 2025. HB 1403 eliminated the requirement for DFPS and FAD as a child-placing agency (CPA) to obtain an inventory list of weapons, firearms, explosive materials, and projectiles for a foster home. This policy change eliminates the previous requirement for FAD staff to make an inventory list of weapons in a foster home. This change relates to how FAD as a child-placing agency and DFPS review and assess weapons, firearms, explosive materials, and projectiles in a foster home.
See:
7644 Weapons, Firearms, Explosive Materials, and Projectiles
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
None