In a dramatic shift that advocates say proves child safety and family preservation can go hand in hand, Texas has seen a 55% decrease in Child Protective Services (CPS) removals since 2018—alongside a 53% decline in child abuse deaths, according to new data released by the Family Freedom Project (FFP).
The six-year trend coincides with major legislative reforms passed by the Texas Legislature in 2020 aimed at strengthening family due process protections and narrowing the criteria under which children can be taken from their homes.
In 2018, 20,000 Texas children were removed from their families by CPS. By 2024, that number had dropped to just 9,220—a reduction state leaders are calling both intentional and impactful.
Additionally, the number of children in the state’s foster care system fell by 47%, while the number of children awaiting adoption dropped by 43%. Even more striking: Texas posted its lowest-ever six-month and one-year recidivism rates—indicating that fewer children are cycling back into the system after being returned home or placed with families.
A Shift in Priorities: Keeping Families Together
This transformation began with legislation introduced and passed during the 87th Legislative Session by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) and Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls). The centerpiece of the reform effort was a significant revision to the state’s definition of child neglect, which now requires that a parent’s action—or inaction—reflects “blatant disregard” and results in harm or immediate danger to a child.
The goal was to raise the threshold for removal, ensuring that children are only taken from their homes in the most serious cases.
“It is undeniable that children are traumatized whenever they are removed from their homes,” Hughes and Frank said in a joint statement when the bill was introduced. “However, it is equally true that too many Texas children are removed unnecessarily, and the rights of these children and their families are trampled on.”
The lawmakers emphasized that the reforms aimed not to weaken protections for children, but rather to clarify guidelines for CPS caseworkers, ensure parents receive due process, and prioritize keeping families together whenever safely possible.
A “Both-And” Approach: Safety and Rights
Critics had once warned that these reforms might lead to more children being harmed, but the data now tells a different story.
“This data confirms what reform advocates have long argued — ensuring due process is protected does not mean compromising child safety. In fact, the two go hand in hand,” said Jeremy Newman, Vice President of the Family Freedom Project.
Reformers say the key lies in a smarter, more measured response—prioritizing urgent intervention when necessary while avoiding the trauma of unnecessary family separation.
What’s Next: “Strict Scrutiny” and a Statewide Vote
Building on the momentum, Hughes and Frank are pushing for Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 34 in the 89th Legislative Session—a proposed constitutional amendment that would explicitly guarantee the right of Texas parents to raise and make decisions for their children.
The measure, if passed, would embed the legal standard of “Strict Scrutiny” into the Texas Constitution, meaning the state could only interfere with parental rights if absolutely necessary to meet a compelling government interest—and only in the narrowest way possible.
The resolution reads: “A parent has the inherent right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child and to make decisions for the upbringing of the parent’s child.”
It also clarifies that any government interference must be “essential to further a compelling governmental interest” and “narrowly tailored.”
While critics worry the measure may shield neglectful parenting from intervention, supporters argue that it is the strongest legal protection available under Texas law—and an essential safeguard for families.
If approved by the Legislature, the amendment will be placed before Texas voters in the November 4, 2025 general election.
A New Era for Texas CPS?
For now, the numbers tell a compelling story: With clearer definitions, more rights for parents, and tighter guidelines for removals, Texas has reduced government intervention into families—without compromising child safety.
