Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

August 2015 edition

Legal Overview of Status Hearing

Texas Family Code

Title 5. The Parent-Child Relationship & the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

Chapter 263. Review of Placement of Children under Care of Department of Family and Protective Services

Subchapter C. Status Hearing

The Status Hearing focuses on the child’s status and service plan. The Status Hearing is an opportunity for the judge and other parties to review the service plan, but it is generally not considered an opportunity to re-litigate whether the child should have been placed in the legal custody of DFPS.

Please see the Checklist Section for Status Hearing Checklist.

A. Status Hearing

B. Mandatory Findings

C. Court Shall Advise/Warn Parents

D. Court Shall Review Service Plan

E. Court Shall Review Visitation Plan

F. Child Placement Resources Form Required

G. Permanency Planning Meetings

H. Assessments

I. Inquiry About Child’s Native American Heritage