Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HCR 10 designates May 23rd as Family Abduction Awareness Day in the State of Texas. The resolution raises awareness about family abduction cases, where a child is unlawfully taken or kept by a parent or relative, often in the context of custody disputes. According to national data cited in the resolution, approximately 260,000 children are abducted each year in the United States, with over 75% of those abductions committed by a family member. The resolution emphasizes that although these cases may not always involve physical harm, they can result in serious emotional and psychological trauma for the children involved.

The resolution notes that in 2022, family abductions accounted for 58% of all AMBER Alerts issued nationwide, demonstrating the widespread and pressing nature of the issue. It affirms that parental kidnapping is a felony-level criminal offense and underscores the important role of law enforcement in resolving these cases and returning children to their legal guardians. HCR 10 seeks to increase public understanding of the legal and emotional consequences of family abductions and encourage preventative and enforcement efforts.

In accordance with Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code, the resolution stipulates that the observance of Family Abduction Awareness Day will remain in effect for ten years from the date of final legislative approval. The designation is symbolic in nature and does not create new legal obligations or programs, but instead serves as a formal statement by the Texas Legislature to recognize and address the seriousness of family abduction.

Author

Philip Cortez

Sponsor

Judith Zaffirini

Contact the Author

Rep. Philip Cortez

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0269

Capitol Office:

CAP 4N.3

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

HCR 10 is a nonbinding legislative measure that designates May 23rd as Family Abduction Awareness Day in Texas. As a commemorative resolution, HCR 10 does not create or amend substantive law, establish new state programs, mandate agency responsibilities, or authorize any state expenditures. Therefore, the resolution is not expected to have any fiscal impact on the state budget or local governments.

The resolution functions solely to raise public awareness of family abductions and highlight the importance of upholding custodial rights and child safety. It does not require any action from state agencies, nor does it mandate any specific public outreach efforts, events, or commemorations. Because the Texas Legislature has the authority under Government Code § 391.004(d) to designate special observance days without appropriating funds, HCR 10 is implemented under existing administrative and legislative structures at no additional cost.

Furthermore, any future efforts by advocacy organizations, law enforcement, or community groups to voluntarily recognize the observance day would be undertaken at their own discretion and expense. No fiscal note was required or issued for HCR 10, consistent with standard legislative procedure for resolutions of this type. In conclusion, HCR 10 has no fiscal implications for the State of Texas or its political subdivisions.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HCR 10. This resolution designates May 23rd as Family Abduction Awareness Day in Texas, recognizing the serious emotional and legal consequences of family abduction, particularly those involving children taken by a parent or other family member during custody disputes. The resolution is symbolic and nonbinding, intended to raise public awareness and encourage responsible behavior surrounding parental custody rights and child welfare. It does not impose new legal obligations, nor does it expand government authority.

From a liberty-based perspective, the resolution aligns well with core principles such as individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government. By focusing attention on the protection of children from unlawful abduction and emphasizing the legal responsibilities of custodial parents, the resolution promotes the enforcement of existing rights and laws without creating new government programs or expenditures. It reinforces the notion that parents must respect court-ordered custody arrangements, thereby supporting personal accountability and the rule of law.

Importantly, the resolution does not impact free enterprise or private property rights, and it respects the boundaries of limited government by operating entirely within existing statutory authority (specifically, Government Code § 391.004(d), which allows for temporary commemorative designations). It has received bipartisan support, passed unanimously out of committee, and imposes no fiscal cost on the state or its subdivisions.

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