Tex. Fam. Code § 162.601-162.605

TEXAS FAMILY CODE Chapter 162, Subchapter G — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS CHAPTER 162 • ADOPTION Subchapter G: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Sec. 162.601. INCENTIVES FOR LICENSED CHILD-PLACING AGENCIES. (a) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall pay, in addition to any other amounts due, a monetary incentive to a licensed child-placing agency for the completion of an adoption: (1) of a child, as defined by Section 162.301, receiving or entitled to receive foster care at department expense; and (2) arranged with the assistance of the agency. (b) The incentive may not exceed 25 percent of the amount the department would have spent to provide one year of foster care for the child, determined according to the child's level of care at the time the adoption is completed. (c) For purposes of this section, an adoption is completed on the date on which the court issues the adoption order. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1309, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.119, eff. April 2, 2015. Sec. 162.602. DOCUMENTATION TO ACCOMPANY PETITION FOR ADOPTION OR ANNULMENT OR REVOCATION OF ADOPTION. At the time a petition for adoption or annulment or revocation of adoption is filed, the petitioner shall also file completed documentation that may be used by the clerk of the court, at the time the petition is granted, to comply with Section 192.009, Health and Safety Code, and Section 108.003. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1128, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Sec. 162.603. POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY LICENSED CHILD-PLACING AGENCIES. A licensed child-placing agency shall provide prospective adoptive parents with information regarding: (1) the community services and other resources available to support a parent who adopts a child; child-placing agency shall provide prospective adoptive parents with information regarding: (1) the community services and other resources available to support a parent who adopts a child; and (2) the options available to the adoptive parent if the parent is unable to care for the adopted child. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 985 (H.B. 834), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017. Sec. 162.604. MAXIMUM AGE RESTRICTION FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS PROHIBITED. (a) The Department of Family and Protective Services, a single source continuum contractor, or a licensed child-placing agency that places a child for adoption may not implement or enforce a policy that: (1) sets a maximum age for any prospective adoptive parent; or (2) sets a maximum age differential between a child and any prospective adoptive parent. (b) Subject to Subsection (a), the Department of Family and Protective Services, a single source continuum contractor, or a licensed child-placing agency may consider the health and expected lifespan of each prospective adoptive parent when determining the best interest of a child. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 589 (H.B. 2969), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Sec. 162.605. INFORMATION REGARDING ADOPTION COSTS. A licensed child-placing agency shall post on its Internet website information regarding adoption costs. The information must include an itemized list of each cost associated with an adoption. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 196 (S.B. 2306), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. Source: Texas Legislature Online (89th Leg., 2nd Called Sess., 2025) Page 1