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 § 263.403 (2026)

Monitored Return Of Child To Parent

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Sec. 263.403. MONITORED RETURN OF CHILD TO PARENT. (a) Notwithstanding Section 263.401, the court may retain jurisdiction and not dismiss the suit or render a final order as required by that section if the court renders a temporary order that:

(1) finds that retaining jurisdiction under this section is in the best interest of the child;

(2) orders the department to:

(A) return the child to the child's parent; or

(B) transition the child, according to a schedule determined by the department or court, from substitute care to the parent while the parent completes the remaining requirements imposed under a service plan and specified in the temporary order that are necessary for the child's return;

(3) orders the department to continue to serve as temporary managing conservator of the child; and

(4) orders the department to monitor the child's placement to ensure that the child is in a safe environment.

(a-1) Unless the court has granted an extension under Section 263.401(b), the department or the parent may request the court to retain jurisdiction for an additional six months as necessary for a parent to complete the remaining requirements under a service plan in a transition monitored return under Subsection (a)(2)(B).

(b) If the court renders an order under this section, the court shall:

(1) include in the order specific findings regarding the grounds for the order; and

(2) schedule a new date, not later than the 180th day after the date the temporary order is rendered, for dismissal of the suit unless a trial on the merits has commenced.

(c) If before the dismissal of the suit or the commencement of the trial on the merits a child placed with a parent under this section must be moved from that home by the department or the court renders a temporary order terminating the transition order issued under Subsection (a)(2)(B), the court shall, at the time of the move or order, schedule a new date for dismissal of the suit. The new dismissal date may not be later than the original dismissal date established under Section 263.401 or the 180th day after the date the child is moved or the order is rendered under this subsection, whichever date is later.

(d) If the court renders an order under this section, the court must include in the order specific findings regarding the grounds for the order.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 600, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 603, Sec. 12, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 90, eff. Jan. 1, 1998. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 263.402 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1090, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 866 (H.B. 1481), Sec. 4, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 317 (H.B. 7), Sec. 29, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 8 (H.B. 567), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2021.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 39 cases (9 in the last 5 years), 2004–2025 · leading case: In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 348 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011).
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In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 348 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). · cites it 6× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403 (West 2008); see In re J.”
In the Interest of J.W.M., 153 S.W.3d 541 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2004). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.403 . This is referred to as a “monitored return” of the child.”
In re Roxsane R., 249 S.W.3d 764 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008). “(d) If the court renders an order under this section, the court must include in the order specific findings regarding the grounds for the order.”
C. B. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 440 S.W.3d 756 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2013). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(West 2008).”
Dept. Fam. v. Dickensheets, 274 S.W.3d 150 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). · cites it 2× “Laws 2395 , 2397 [hereinafter FORMER TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 263.403] (amended 2007) (current version at TEX.”
in the Interest of M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d 521 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(l)-(4) (Vernon 2002).”
Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. v. Travis Reid Dickensheets, 274 S.W.3d 150 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). · cites it 2× “Laws 2395 , 2397 [hereinafter FormeR Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403] (amended 2007) (current version at Tex.”
In re MNG, 147 S.W.3d 521 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(1)-(4) (Vernon 2002).”
In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 02-11-00248-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 11, 2011). · cites it 7× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.403 (West 2008); see In re J.”
in the Interest OF P.Z.F., a Child, 651 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2021). · cites it 3× “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.403(a); see also In re A.”
In the Interest of G.L.J. & G.M.J., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 05-23-01296-CV, 2024 WL 2513311 (Tex. App.—Dallas May 24, 2024). · cites it 3× “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.403(a), (b). As with Section 263.”
In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 02-11-00248-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 11, 2011). · cites it 4× “[2] Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.403 (a). If the trial court renders such an order, subsection (b) requires the court to ―(1) include in the order specific findings 2 Family code section 263.”
Show all 39 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(a): 10 cases
In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 348 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403 (West 2008); see In re J.”
C. B. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 440 S.W.3d 756 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2013). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(West 2008).”
in the Interest OF P.Z.F., a Child, 651 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2021). “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.403(a); see also In re A.”
in the Interest of J.C.M., a Child, No. 10-17-00081-CV (Tex. App.—Waco Aug. 2, 2017).
in the Interest of L.E., Z.S.A.-F. AKA Z.A., & K.A., Child., No. 07-19-00317-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo Jan. 3, 2020).
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(a)(1): 1 case
In re MNG, 147 S.W.3d 521 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(1)-(4) (Vernon 2002).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(a)(l): 1 case
in the Interest of M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d 521 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403(a)(l)-(4) (Vernon 2002).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(b): 3 cases
in the Interest OF P.Z.F., a Child, 651 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2021). “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.403(a); see also In re A.”
In re G.P., 665 S.W.3d 127 (Tex. App.—Austin 2023).
In the Interest of D.W., A.W., I.W., I.W., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 13-23-00362-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Jan. 29, 2024).
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(b)(2): 2 cases
In the Interest of J.W.M., 153 S.W.3d 541 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2004). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.403 . This is referred to as a “monitored return” of the child.”
In the Interest of G.L.J. & G.M.J., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 05-23-01296-CV, 2024 WL 2513311 (Tex. App.—Dallas May 24, 2024). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.403(a), (b). As with Section 263.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 263.403(c): 6 cases
In re Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 348 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.403 (West 2008); see In re J.”
in the Interest of D.R.W., a Child, No. 11-16-00143-CV (Tex. App.—Eastland Nov. 30, 2016).
in the Interest of K.A.H., a Child, No. 05-16-01067-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Feb. 13, 2017).
in the Interest of K.A.H., a Child, No. 05-16-01067-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 27, 2017).
in the Interest of J.C.M., a Child, No. 10-17-00081-CV (Tex. App.—Waco Aug. 2, 2017).
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