PROVIDED SUMMARY
Child Welfare; Revising the definition of the term “harm” to provide that exposure of a child to a controlled substance may be established by evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to a specified extent; revising the definition of the term “neglect” to provide that neglect occurs when there is evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to a specified extent, etc.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Expands child neglect to include parent's drug use.
The bill adds a new legal definition of child neglect based on a parent's drug use. It does not require the parent to be currently intoxicated or the child to be harmed. The mere ongoing threat of future intoxication is enough to trigger state intervention.
It also changes how courts can order medical care for children. Parents can no longer refuse standard medical treatment in favor of spiritual healing. Courts can now mandate conventional medical services if the child's health requires it.
These changes make it easier for the state to remove children from homes. The threshold for state action is lowered because it relies on the parent's behavior rather than the child's immediate condition.
KEY PROVISIONS
AIAllows the state to intervene in a family based on a parent's drug use, even if the child is currently safe.
“Evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to the extent that the ongoing threat of the parent's future intoxication compromises the parent's ability to”
bill text, line 5 →
AIClassifies a parent's drug use as neglect if it creates a dangerous environment for the child.
“There is evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to the extent that the ongoing threat of the parent's future intoxication results in an environment”
bill text, line 8 →
AILimits the new drug-use provisions to specific substances, excluding those used as prescribed.
“the term "controlled substance" means prescription drugs not prescribed for the parent or not administered as prescribed and controlled substances as outlined in Schedule I or”
bill text, line 52 →
§ 4
Reorganization of Medical Exception
moderates. 39.01(53)
AIRestructures the existing exception for parents who refuse medical treatment for religious reasons.
“Medical services from a licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, podiatric physician, or other qualified health care provider; or”
bill text, line 74 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Messages
3/5/2026
CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 592
3/5/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 592
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 592
3/2/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26
2/25/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/24/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 1
2/19/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/12/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human...
2/9/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human...
1/29/2026
CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
1/28/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
1/28/2026
Remaining references corrected to Appropriations Committee on...
1/28/2026
Original reference(s) removed: Judiciary
1/28/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/27/2026
CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,...
1/7/2026
Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Judiciary; Rules
16 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
STAFF ANALYSES
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