The 2027 Texas Legislature (90th): When CPS Bills Can Be Filed

Bills for the 2027 session are not law. As of October 2, 2026, none can have been filed yet: the first day to file bills for the 90th Legislature is Monday, November 9, 2026 Texas Legislative Council, Dates of Interest | 89th Legislature (PDF), linked from Texas Legislature Online. Even after a bill is filed, it is not law unless it passes both chambers and takes effect.

The short answer

The next Texas Legislature, the 90th, can start receiving bills on Monday, November 9, 2026. That is the first Monday after the November 3, 2026 general election Texas Legislative Council, Dates of Interest | 89th Legislature (PDF), linked from Texas Legislature Online, which fits the rule that prefiling in Texas happens the first Monday after the general election in even-numbered years Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Bill Prefiling: FAQs. The regular session begins at noon on Tuesday, January 12, 2027 Texas Legislative Council, Dates of Interest | 89th Legislature (PDF), linked from Texas Legislature Online.

So, as of October 2, 2026, there are no CPS or DFPS bills for the 90th Legislature to report.

Key dates

Date	What happens
Tuesday, November 3, 2026	General election for federal, state, and county officers
Monday, November 9, 2026	First day legislators and legislators-elect may file bills for the 90th Legislature
Tuesday, January 12, 2027	First day of the 90th Regular Session; the Legislature convenes at noon

These dates come from the Texas Legislative Council's "Dates of Interest" calendar, which the Texas Legislature Online home page links to Texas Legislative Council, Dates of Interest | 89th Legislature (PDF), linked from Texas Legislature Online Texas Legislature Online, home page. That calendar cites House Rule 8, Section 7 and Senate Rule 7.04(a) for the filing date. The Legislative Reference Library lists the coming regular session as January 12 to May 31, 2027, a 140-day session Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Legislative sessions and years.

As of October 2, 2026, the newest session in the Texas Legislature Online session list is the 89th Legislature's second called session (2025) Texas Legislature Online, home page.

How a filed bill becomes law

Filing a bill does not change the law. According to the Legislative Reference Library:

1. Filing. Returning members and members-elect may prefile bills. Members of the public cannot file directly, but they may contact their representative about a bill Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Bill Prefiling: FAQs.
2. Both chambers. A bill must pass both the House and the Senate. Bills that pass both are sent to the governor, who can sign, veto, or let a bill become law without a signature Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S..
3. Taking effect. Under Article III, Section 39 of the Texas Constitution, a bill cannot take effect until at least 90 days after the session ends, unless it passes both chambers by a two-thirds vote Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S..
4. Bills that stall. Bills that do not make it all the way through die when the session ends and are not automatically refiled Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S..

Most filed bills never reach the governor. In the 2025 regular session, 8,719 House and Senate bills were filed and 1,183 were sent to the governor, according to the Legislative Reference Library's count as of June 3, 2025 Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S..

How to follow CPS bills once filing opens

• Where bills appear. Bills are filed with the House Chief Clerk and the Senate Calendar Clerk and posted on Texas Legislature Online (capitol.texas.gov) Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Bill Prefiling: FAQs.
• Daily list. "Today's Filed Bills" in the TLO General Reports section lists each day's new bills.
• By subject. The TLO Bill Search page lets you search by subject code.
• Help. For help finding prefiled bills, you can call the Texas Legislative Reference Library at (512) 463-1252 Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Bill Prefiling: FAQs.

What it would change

Nothing yet. No bill for the 90th Legislature had been filed as of October 2, 2026, because filing does not open until November 9, 2026 Texas Legislative Council, Dates of Interest | 89th Legislature (PDF), linked from Texas Legislature Online. Several CPS bills from 2025 did not become law, and bills that die are not automatically refiled Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S.. For one of those ideas to be considered again, someone would have to file a new bill.

Which laws it affects

None yet. A bill changes Texas law only if it passes both chambers and takes effect Legislative Reference Library of Texas, What's Next? Post-Session FAQ, 89th R.S..

Related

• Texas HB 2216 (2025): 'Active Efforts' and Higher Proof for CPS Removal and Termination (Did Not Pass): removal and termination standards (2025, did not pass)
• Texas HB 2070 (2025): A Court Finding Before Most CPS Central Registry Listings (Did Not Pass): central registry (2025, did not pass)
• Texas SB 2501 (2025): Letting Indigent Parents Choose Their Own CPS Lawyer (Vetoed): parents choosing their own lawyer (2025, vetoed)
• Texas SB 1838 (2025): Fee Schedules and Pay Appeals for CPS Court-Appointed Lawyers (Vetoed): pay for court-appointed lawyers (2025, vetoed)
• Texas SB 1398 (2025): Family Preservation, Placement Limits and Community-Based Care
• Texas SB 1141 (2025): Court Must Confirm CPS Gave Rights Notices
• The Texas CPS Investigation Process, Step by Step (Family Code §§261.301–261.302)
• Your Rights When Texas CPS Contacts You (Family Code §261.307)