BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5539

By: Schatzline

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that families pursuing adoption through licensed child-placing agencies often encounter a range of costs, such as legal, administrative, counseling, and medical expenses, and that many adoption agencies may not clearly or consistently disclose these fees upfront. The bill author has also informed the committee that this lack of transparency may create confusion, cause financial stress, or even deter families from completing the adoption process and that inconsistent cost disclosures may also make comparing adoption agencies or identifying predatory practices difficult. H.B. 5539 seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the adoption process by requiring a licensed child-placing agency to post an itemized list of adoption-related costs on its website.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 5539 amends the Family Code to require a licensed child-placing agency to post on its website information regarding adoption costs that includes an itemized list of each cost associated with an adoption.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.