According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 4795 is projected to result in a one-time cost of $200,000 to the state’s General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2026. This expense stems from the need to modify the Texas Electronic Vital Events Registrar (TxEVER) system to establish the electronic processes mandated by the bill. Specifically, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will collaborate with its TxEVER vendor to develop a new module that allows the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to directly access the Court of Continuing Jurisdiction (CCJ) and paternity registries online, streamlining what is currently a mail-based request system.

Although the bill instructs DSHS to use existing resources, the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) analysis notes that implementation will still result in an internal reallocation of funding that carries real fiscal consequences. No additional ongoing costs are anticipated beyond fiscal year 2026, and the bill does not make an appropriation but could serve as a legal basis for one. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is expected to absorb any rulemaking or administrative responsibilities within its current budget, as is DFPS.

Finally, the bill is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state court system or on units of local government. Thus, while the bill incurs an initial cost, it is limited and nonrecurring, and long-term budgetary effects are considered negligible.

HB 4795 directly addresses longstanding bottlenecks in how the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) processes Paternity Registry and court jurisdiction requests, particularly for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in cases involving adoption and the termination of parental rights. These delays, sometimes extending six to eight weeks, have threatened the timely resolution of child placement and adoption cases, putting vulnerable children and families at risk.

By requiring DSHS to create an electronic submission system using existing resources, HB 4795 aims to eliminate outdated, paper-based workflows and duplicate requests that currently create inefficiencies and backlogs. This modernization not only helps to streamline DFPS operations but also promotes timely court processes and reduces burdens on legal practitioners. The bill ensures that the changes are budget-conscious, instructing agencies to use existing resources, although the Legislative Budget Board estimates a one-time cost of $200,000 in FY2026 for updates to the state’s TxEVER system—a reasonable and limited investment with no long-term fiscal impact.

Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 4795.

• Individual Liberty: By speeding up access to critical legal information about a child’s case, like which court has jurisdiction or whether a paternity claim has been filed, this bill helps protect the rights of children and biological or adoptive parents. It ensures due process in cases that often determine permanent family arrangements, which are deeply tied to personal liberty and family integrity.
• Personal Responsibility: The bill enhances the ability of caseworkers, attorneys, and courts to act on accurate, up-to-date records. This empowers individuals involved in family cases to make responsible, informed decisions and discourages repeat paperwork or unnecessary delays caused by redundant filings.
• Free Enterprise: The bill does not regulate or impact private businesses. While attorneys and private adoption agencies may benefit from quicker processing, the bill neither expands nor restricts market freedoms.
• Private Property Rights: There is no direct effect on private property rights, since the bill focuses on legal processes and state-held records rather than ownership or land use.
• Limited Government: The bill directs the Department of State Health Services to use existing resources to implement the new digital process. It does not expand the agency’s scope of power, impose new mandates on individuals, or create new layers of bureaucracy. Instead, it makes government services more efficient and less burdensome for those needing access.

• SB 1590 (Same As)