Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE E. PROTECTION OF THE CHILD · CHAPTER 263. REVIEW OF PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER CARE OF DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 263.103 (2026)

Original Service Plan: Signing And Taking Effect

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 263.103. ORIGINAL SERVICE PLAN: SIGNING AND TAKING EFFECT. (a) The original service plan shall be developed jointly by the child's parents and a representative of the department, including informing the parents of their rights in connection with the service plan process. If a parent is not able or willing to participate in the development of the service plan, it should be so noted in the plan.

(a-1) Before the original service plan is signed, the child's parents and the representative of the department shall discuss each term and condition of the plan.

(b) The child's parents and the person preparing the original service plan shall sign the plan, and the department shall give each parent a copy of the service plan.

(c) If the department determines that the child's parents are unable or unwilling to participate in the development of the original service plan or sign the plan, the department may file the plan without the parents' signatures.

(d) The original service plan takes effect when:

(1) the child's parents and the appropriate representative of the department sign the plan; or

(2) the court issues an order giving effect to the plan without the parents' signatures.

(e) The original service plan is in effect until amended by the court or as provided under Section 263.104.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 598 (S.B. 218), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.175, eff. April 2, 2015.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2006–2025 · leading case: D. F. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 393 S.W.3d 821 (Tex. App. 2012).
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D. F. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 393 S.W.3d 821 (Tex. App. 2012). · cites it 5× “Texas Family Code Section 263.103 discusses service plans and indicates that the child’s parents and a Department representative shall discuss each term and condition of the plan before it is signed.”
In re V.V., 349 S.W.3d 548 (Tex. App. 2010). “DFPS asserts that Valencia had a "responsibility to comply with the terms of the Department's service plan by court order," regardless of whether he "agreed” to the *602 plan, and DFPS cites to Texas Family Code section 263.103, which it asserts says "plan may take effect even…”
in the Interest of A.C.B., O.B.B., O.C.B. & O.D.B., Child., 198 S.W.3d 294 (Tex. App. 2006). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.103 (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Vv, 349 S.W.3d 548 (Tex. App. 2010). “DFPS asserts that Valencia had a "responsibility to comply with the terms of the Department's service plan by court order, " regardless of whether he "agreed" to the plan, and DFPS cites to Texas Family Code section 263.103, which it asserts says "plan may take effect even if…”
In Re Acb, 198 S.W.3d 294 (Tex. App. 2006). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.103 (Vernon 2002).”
in the Interest of J.G.K., a Child (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “; see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.103 (c) (providing that service plan may be filed without parent’s signature if parent is unwilling or unable to sign it).”
in the Interest of J.G.K., a Child (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “; see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.103 (c) (providing that service plan may be filed without parent’s signature if parent is unwilling or unable to sign it).”
in the Interest of J.B. A/K/A J.D., a Child (Tex. App. 2018). “Even if Mother had preserved her notice issue, we would therefore hold that 1 We note that Mother was bound by the service plan despite her choice not to participate in its formation.”
in the Interest of D.L.W., Jr. & E.W., Child. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2023). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.103(d)(2); In re L.L.”
In the Interest of G.J., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.103 (d) (stating that “[t]he original service plan takes effect when: (1) the child’s parents and the appropriate representative of the department sign the plan; or (2) the court issues an order giving effect to the plan without the parents’…”
Joe Lewis Valencia v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2010). “DFPS asserts that Valencia had a “responsibility to comply with the terms of the Department’s service plan by court order ,” regardless of whether he “agreed” to the plan, and DFPS cites to Texas Family Code section 263.103, which it asserts says “plan may take effect even if…”
in the Interest of A.C.B., O.B.B., O.C.B. & O.D.B., Child. (Tex. App. 2006). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.103 (Vernon 2002).”
Show all 16 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.103(c): 3 cases
D. F. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 393 S.W.3d 821 (Tex. App. 2012). “Texas Family Code Section 263.103 discusses service plans and indicates that the child’s parents and a Department representative shall discuss each term and condition of the plan before it is signed.”
in the Interest of C.N.S, & C.D.S., Child. (Tex. App. 2014).
in the Interest of P.Y.M., a Child (Tex. App. 2013).
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.103(d)(2): 2 cases
in the Interest of D.L.W., Jr. & E.W., Child. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2023). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.103(d)(2); In re L.L.”
in the Interest of B.A., J.A., Child. (Tex. App. 2013).
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