TX HB3282

Restricts the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) from filing to terminate parental rights unless the child has been in temporary conservatorship for at least 12 of the previous 22 months, the child under age 2 was previously determined abandoned, or the court previously found aggravated circumstances by clear and convincing evidence

Prohibits DFPS from seeking termination when the child is being cared for by a relative, when DFPS documents a compelling reason termination is not in the child's best interest, or when a court found DFPS failed to make reasonable reunification efforts in the preceding 12 months

Protects incarcerated parents from termination proceedings when incarceration is a significant factor in the conservatorship duration, the parent maintains a meaningful role in the child's life, and DFPS has not documented other reasons for termination

Requires courts to automatically dismiss DFPS suits and all party pleadings on the first Monday after one year from the temporary conservatorship order, unless trial has begun or an extension is granted

Allows case extensions only when a parent files a written motion or makes an oral request, and only if DFPS has filed a proper termination petition or extraordinary circumstances exist; applies to pending and new cases effective September 1, 2025