A new bill authored by State Rep. Martinez in the Texas House seeks to assign state support rights to caregivers for children placed in substitute care, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on Health category, introduced as HB 215 during the 89(2) legislative session on Monday, Aug. 18, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends the Family Code to ensure that when a child is placed in substitute care, the state is assigned any existing support rights as of the placement date, except in specified circumstances. It introduces a provision allowing a relative or designated caregiver to receive support and benefits on behalf of the child placed with them by the department. The bill mandates the department to assist in transferring support rights to the caregiver and designating them as the representative payee for any benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), that the child is entitled to or that are provided for their benefit. This Act is set to take effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Armando Martinez, the vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Article III and the vice chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, proposed no other bills during the 89(2) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and a member of the House Committee on House Administration.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(1) | HB 284 | 08/06/2025 | Relating to flood control measures for Texas Department of Transportation highway projects |
| 89(1) | HB 283 | 08/06/2025 | Relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster |
| 89(R) | HB 5219 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the water resources in certain counties |
| 89(R) | HB 5216 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Hidalgo County as the U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jose Rodriguez-Lua Memorial Highway |
| 89(R) | HB 4868 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to allowing a bicyclist to treat certain traffic-control devices as a yield sign |
| 89(R) | HB 4782 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the qualifications of a county fire marshal in certain counties |
| 89(R) | HB 4526 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the establishment of a grant program by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to plug abandoned and deteriorating water wells |
| 89(R) | HB 4524 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the establishment of the Texas airport investment partnership program |
| 89(R) | HB 4523 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to requirements for certain funding of aviation facilities and projects |
| 89(R) | HB 4521 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the requirements for certain emergency medical services certification providers; authorizing a fee |
| 89(R) | HB 4520 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to requirements for certain funding of aviation facilities and projects |
| 89(R) | HB 4154 | 03/10/2025 | Relating to the operation of oversize and overweight vehicles transporting precast concrete products |
| 89(R) | HB 3915 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund |
| 89(R) | HB 3914 | 03/06/2025 | Relating to the health benefit plan coverage of and reimbursement for the treatment of a first responder’s injuries sustained within the course and scope of employment |
| 89(R) | HB 3732 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection |
| 89(R) | HB 3731 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to requiring the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to establish standards of uniform cargo liability, uniform bills of lading or receipts, and uniform cargo credit |
| 89(R) | HB 3663 | 03/04/2025 | Relating to the information required to be posted by the Texas Water Development Board on the board’s Internet website regarding the use of the state water implementation fund for Texas |
| 89(R) | HB 3546 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to the authority of an independent school district to change the date of the general election for officers |
| 89(R) | HB 3545 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to the regulation of certain contract carriers and subcontractors of contract carriers |
| 89(R) | HB 3544 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to flood control measures for Texas Department of Transportation highway projects |
| 89(R) | HB 3543 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to qualifications for participation in the moving image industry incentive program |
| 89(R) | HB 3542 | 02/28/2025 | Relating to the effect of a pharmacy benefit manager change on prescription drug coverage |
| 89(R) | HB 2098 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to applicability of the civil service system for municipal firefighters and police officers and sheriff’s departments |
| 89(R) | HB 2097 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to deputy sheriff civil service appeals of certain sheriff’s department actions |
| 89(R) | HB 2096 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the notification of a peace officer through an indication associated with vehicle registration that a person has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication |
| 89(R) | HB 2095 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of reckless discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities and counties |
| 89(R) | HB 2094 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to warning signs posted by certain food service establishments that prepare food items containing peanut products |
| 89(R) | HB 2093 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification requirements for certain food service establishment employees |
| 89(R) | HB 2092 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain solid waste processing facilities |
| 89(R) | HB 2091 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for certain projects |
| 89(R) | HB 2090 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster |
| 89(R) | HB 2089 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the notification of a peace officer through an indication associated with vehicle registration that the vehicle owner may be transporting a person with a disability |
| 89(R) | HB 2088 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to the establishment of a public law school in the Rio Grande Valley |
| 89(R) | HB 2087 | 01/24/2025 | Relating to cost-of-living increases applicable to certain benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
