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 § 263.202 (2026)

Status Hearing; Findings

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 263.202. STATUS HEARING; FINDINGS. (a) If all persons entitled to citation and notice of a status hearing under this chapter were not served, the court shall make findings as to whether:

(1) the department has exercised due diligence to locate all necessary persons, including an alleged father of the child, regardless of whether the alleged father is registered with the registry of paternity under Section 160.402; and

(2) the child and each parent, alleged father, or relative of the child before the court have furnished to the department all available information necessary to locate an absent parent, alleged father, or relative of the child through exercise of due diligence.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, a status hearing shall be limited to matters related to the contents and execution of the service plan filed with the court. The court shall review the service plan that the department filed under this chapter for reasonableness, accuracy, and compliance with requirements of court orders and make findings as to whether:

(1) a plan that has the goal of returning the child to the child's parents adequately ensures that reasonable efforts are made to enable the child's parents to provide a safe environment for the child;

(2) the child's parents have reviewed and understand the plan and have been advised that unless the parents are willing and able to provide the child with a safe environment, even with the assistance of a service plan, within the reasonable period of time specified in the plan, the parents' parental and custodial duties and rights may be subject to restriction or to termination under this code or the child may not be returned to the parents;

(3) the plan is narrowly tailored to address any specific issues identified by the department;

(4) the child's parents and the representative of the department have signed the plan;

(5) based on the court's determination under Section 263.002, continued placement is appropriate if the child is placed in a residential treatment center; and

(6) based on the court's determination under Section 263.00201, continued placement is appropriate if the child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program.

(b-1) After reviewing the service plan and making any necessary modifications, the court shall incorporate the service plan into the orders of the court and may render additional appropriate orders to implement or require compliance with the plan.

(c) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071, Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071, Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.

(e) At the status hearing, the court shall make a finding as to whether the court has identified the individual who has the right to consent for the child under Section 266.003.

(f) The court shall review the report filed by the department under Section 263.007 and inquire into the sufficiency of the department's efforts to identify, locate, and provide information to each adult described by Section 262.1095(a). The court shall order the department to make further efforts to identify, locate, and provide information to each adult described by Section 262.1095(a) if the court determines that the department's efforts have not been sufficient.

(f-1) The court shall ask all parties present at the status hearing whether the child or the child's family has a Native American heritage and identify any Native American tribe with which the child may be associated.

(g) The court shall give the child's parents an opportunity to comment on the service plan.

(h) If a proposed child placement resources form as described by Section 261.307 has not been submitted, the court shall require each parent, alleged father, or other person to whom the department is required to provide a form to submit a completed form. The court shall ask all parties present at the status hearing whether:

(1) the child has had the opportunity, in a developmentally appropriate manner, to identify any adult, particularly an adult residing in the child's community, who could be a relative or designated caregiver for the child; and

(2) each individual identified by the child as a potential relative or designated caregiver is listed on the proposed child placement resources form.

(i) For a child placed with a relative of the child, the court shall inform the relative of:

(1) the option to become verified by a licensed child-placing agency to operate an agency foster home, if applicable; and

(2) the permanency care assistance program under Subchapter K, Chapter 264.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 111, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1390, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 1.38(b), eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 1.39, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071 (S.B. 993), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071 (S.B. 993), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.177, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 697 (H.B. 825), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 375 (H.B. 1884), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1294 (H.B. 3390), Sec. 9, eff. June 14, 2019.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 3041), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 956 (S.B. 1930), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2023.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2006–2024 · leading case: In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018).
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In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b) (status hearings require review of service plan and findings as to whether a plan with a goal of family reunification adequately ensures that reasonable efforts are made to enable the child's parents to provide a safe environment for the child);…”
in the Interest of S.A.S. & M.I.S., 200 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2006). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.202(b) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of G.L. A/K/A A.L. A/K/A A.L.G.L., a Child (Tex. App. 2022). · cites it 3× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b–1). Father has not provided us with a reporter’s record from the status hearing, and the clerk’s record does not contain any written objection to the service plan.”
in the Interest of C.R.P., D.P.G., & E.F.L., Child. (Tex. App. 2022). · cites it 3× “202(b-1) of the Texas Family Code is unconstitutional on its face and as-applied, see TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b-1); and (2) “procedural irregularities” in this case render its result untrustworthy.”
in the Interest of L.G., a Child (Tex. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b)(2). Also, Matt signed the following acknowledgment contained in his FSP: TO THE PARENT: THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.”
In Re Sas, 200 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2006). “" Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.202(b) (Vernon Supp.”
W. L. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2020). “” See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(3) (requiring court to review service plan and make finding whether plan is “reasonably tailored to address any specific issues identified by the department”); see also id.”
Texas Dep't of Crim. Just. v. Jorge Gonzalez Rocha & Kirk Gipson (Tex. App. 2023). “” (emphasis added)); TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.202(e) (“At the status hearing, the court shall make a finding as to whether the court has identified the individual who has the right to consent for the child[.”
In the Interest of A. C. K. A/K/A A. K. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2024). “3d at 377; TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.202(b-1). The order incorporating the service plan “is a mandate or directive that establishes some steps or actions necessary for the parent to obtain return of the child who is in the Department’s custody.”
In the Interest of L.D.W., K.A.W., & K.L.C., Child. v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b-1). Although Mother’s service plan was not filed in the record, the trial court incorporated the service plan into its nunc pro tunc order entered after the status hearing held on October 11, 2022.”
In the Interest of E.G., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b)(3) (providing that “[t]he court shall review the service plan .”
in the Interest of M.G. (Tex. App. 2009). “Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b). However, “reasonableness” is not defined in the code and does not necessarily require that a service plan or resulting court orders on which termination may be based include only requirements rationally related to parenting.”
Show all 14 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b) — 5 cases
In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b) (status hearings require review of service plan and findings as to whether a plan with a goal of family reunification adequately ensures that reasonable efforts are made to enable the child's parents to provide a safe environment for the child);…”
in the Interest of S.A.S. & M.I.S., 200 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2006). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.202(b) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of G.L. A/K/A A.L. A/K/A A.L.G.L., a Child (Tex. App. 2022). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b–1). Father has not provided us with a reporter’s record from the status hearing, and the clerk’s record does not contain any written objection to the service plan.”
In Re Sas, 200 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2006). “" Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.202(b) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of M.G. (Tex. App. 2009). “Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b). However, “reasonableness” is not defined in the code and does not necessarily require that a service plan or resulting court orders on which termination may be based include only requirements rationally related to parenting.”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(1) — 1 case
In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b) (status hearings require review of service plan and findings as to whether a plan with a goal of family reunification adequately ensures that reasonable efforts are made to enable the child's parents to provide a safe environment for the child);…”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(2) — 1 case
in the Interest of L.G., a Child (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b)(2). Also, Matt signed the following acknowledgment contained in his FSP: TO THE PARENT: THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(3) — 2 cases
W. L. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2020). “” See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(3) (requiring court to review service plan and make finding whether plan is “reasonably tailored to address any specific issues identified by the department”); see also id.”
In the Interest of E.G., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.202(b)(3) (providing that “[t]he court shall review the service plan .”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b)(4) — 1 case
In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(b) (status hearings require review of service plan and findings as to whether a plan with a goal of family reunification adequately ensures that reasonable efforts are made to enable the child's parents to provide a safe environment for the child);…”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(e) — 1 case
Texas Dep't of Crim. Just. v. Jorge Gonzalez Rocha & Kirk Gipson (Tex. App. 2023). “” (emphasis added)); TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.202(e) (“At the status hearing, the court shall make a finding as to whether the court has identified the individual who has the right to consent for the child[.”
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