89R25523 DNC-F     By: Johnson H.B. No. 4805     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4805:     By:  Leach C.S.H.B. No. 4805       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 AND RETAINING   JURISDICTION WHEN CHILD IS MISSING. (a)  Notwithstanding Section   263.401, if the court finds the child is missing from the child's   substitute care provider, the court shall retain jurisdiction and   schedule a new dismissal date that is 180 days after the last   dismissal date.  The court may not dismiss the case until the   earlier of the date the child is found or the date on which the child   would no longer be eligible to receive department services or   benefits.          (b)  If the court retains jurisdiction under Subsection (a)   but does not commence the trial on the merits before the dismissal   date, the court's jurisdiction over the suit is terminated and the   suit is automatically dismissed without a court order.          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.