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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Caroline Harris Davila
RRepublican
P
Ellen Troxclair
RRepublican
P
Lacey Hull
RRepublican
P
Toni Rose
DDemocratic
Co
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
Co
Aicha Davis
DDemocratic
Co
Candy Noble
RRepublican
Co
Claudia Ordaz
DDemocratic
Co
Hillary Hickland
RRepublican
Co
J.M. Lozano
RRepublican
Co
James Frank
RRepublican
Co
Josey Garcia
DDemocratic
Co
Liz Campos
DDemocratic
Co
Terri Leo-Wilson
RRepublican
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