HB 4336 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the emergency possession of a newborn by employees of a hospital.

HB 4336 allows hospital employees to take custody of newborns without a court order under specific conditions. It applies to infants 60 days old or younger who are voluntarily left with hospital staff immediately after birth (e.g., handed to an employee or placed in a designated safety device) and where the parent does not express intent to return. The bill amends Texas Family Code Section 262.302(a) to formalize this process, removing the need for judicial oversight in these emergency situations. The law will take effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 1, 2025 Last action May 13, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
5
Committee
6
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Human Services
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors