The 2023 edition of the Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book (Bench Book) is now available online and includes updates from the 88th Regular Legislative Session. The 2023 edition is organized by the following sections: Statutory, Legal Essentials, Federal, Health, Well-being, Safety, System Issues, and Family Connections. There is also a new Bench Card on Reasonable Efforts.

While the Bench Book was originally designed for and is primarily used by judges, many attorneys and other child welfare stakeholders may find it to be informative and helpful. A desktop version of the Bench Book is available on the Children’s Commission website as well as a downloadable PDF for print. An interactive version of the Bench Book is available through an online service called LawBox (recommended on mobile devices). If you are a Texas judge responsible for handling child welfare cases and interested in receiving a printed copy of the Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book, please send your request to children@txcourts.gov. Please note, limited printed copies may be available.

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For a complete list of Resource Letters, please visit the Children's Commission webpage. Information provided by the Children’s Commission should not be read as a commentary by the Supreme Court of Texas or any other court. The Children’s Commission website is not equipped to facilitate dialogue or conversation about matters related to the information in this communique. For more information about the Children’s Commission, please visit our website.

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