S.B. No. 500         AN ACT   relating to access to certain information in the adoption process.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 162.005(b) and (c), Family Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  Before placing a child for adoption, the Department of   Family and Protective Services, a licensed child-placing agency, or   the child's parent or guardian shall compile a report on the   available health, social, educational, and genetic history of the   child to be adopted and distribute the report as required by this   chapter.          (c)  The department shall ensure that each licensed   child-placing agency, single source continuum contractor, or other   person placing a child for adoption receives a copy of any portion   of the report prepared by the department not later than the 45th day   after the latter of:                (1)  the date the child's primary permanency plan goal   is changed to adoption; or                (2)  the date the court renders an order terminating   parental rights with regard to the child.          SECTION 2.  Section 162.0062, Family Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-2) and (a-3) to   read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the prospective   adoptive parents of a child are entitled to examine the records and   other information relating to the history of the child, including   confidential information other than the identity of the biological   parents and any other person whose identity is confidential. The   Department of Family and Protective Services, licensed   child-placing agency, or other person placing a child for adoption   shall inform the prospective adoptive parents of their right to   examine the records and other information relating to the history   of the child. The department, licensed child-placing agency, or   other person placing the child for adoption shall:                (1)  redact each social security number from the   records and information; and                (2)  edit the records and information to protect the   identity of the biological parents, any biological siblings adopted   by a different family, the adoptive parents of those biological   siblings, any person who made a report of abuse or neglect to the   department or a law enforcement agency, and any [other] person   whose identity is confidential under Section 262.308.          (a-2)  A prospective adoptive parent must sign a   nondisclosure agreement before the department, licensed   child-placing agency, or other person placing the child for   adoption may release confidential information under this section.          (a-3)  The department, licensed child-placing agency, or   other person placing the child for adoption shall provide the   information under this section not later than the 90th day after the   date the information is requested.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 500 passed the Senate on   May 1, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 500 passed the House on   May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 137, Nays 1, one   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor