L E G I S L A T I V E U P D A T E

The 88th Legislative Session is in full swing at the Texas State Capitol. Two bills under consideration would expand CASA services. These bills are under consideration but we thought we would give you a preview. HB2794 and SB2109 are identical Texas CASA champion bills which amend the Texas Family Code to allow CASA programs to use their current state funding to serve on Court Ordered Services (COS) cases. Currently the law limits CASA’s state funding for only cases involving children who are already in foster care. This prevents CASA from providing critical support for children and families to remain safely together outside of the formal foster care system. This champion bill could utilize CASA volunteers and programs in different ways to prevent children from entering foster care and experiencing the trauma of being removed from their home.

According to the KIDS COUNT Data Center, policymakers, researchers and other experts agree that when children must be removed from their homes and placed into foster care, they are more likely to thrive if placed with families- ideally with relatives or close friends who can provide continuity with a child’s school, community and cultural identity, or with nonrelative foster familiesrather than in group homes or institutions.

To stay up to date on Champion Bills, High Priority Bills and Bills Supported by Texas CASA please visit:

88th Legislative Session Bill Tracker - Texas