Our Position on Texas HB 4730

May 9, 2025

texas capitol where we say no to HB 4730

This week, the Texas House unanimously passed House Bill 4730 (click HERE to read), which requires that a Relinquishment of Parental Rights cannot be signed until the 7th day after birth. As of today, HB 4730 is in the hands of the Texas Senate, and time is of the essence to oppose this Bill.

Adoption Advocates believes that this measure does not support the best interest of the adoption triad, but specifically the children we serve.

Here are a few of the critical issues with this bill:

  • This will exponentially increase legal risk because adoptive families would be taking placement of the child prior to signing. This gives the birth parent(s) an additional 5 days to change their mind postpartum and disrupt placement.
  • We may not be able to locate the birth parent(s) for the signing 7 days after birth, which will prolong the termination process.
  • Adoptive families will not be able to submit ICPC for an additional week. This will drive up the cost to adoptive parents requiring them to stay in Texas longer.

To be clear, we do not believe in rushing expectant/birth parents into making a decision about adoption. We strongly support women’s right to take all the time they need before making this permanent, life-changing decision. However, the proposed mandatory 7-day “waiting period” makes the process mentally, physically and emotionally more difficult for all involved.

We hope you will join us in opposition of this bill. Please consider reaching out to your Texas Senator to urge them to VOTE NO on HB 4370. (Look up your Texas Senator HERE) We’ve provided a template letter below, but but please feel free to add your own experience or perspective as an adoptive family.

This issue is urgent as the current legislative session ends June 2. While we do not know when the bill will be heard by the Senate, we know it will be soon.

Sample Email for Contacting Your Texas State Senator

Dear Senator,
I am writing as your constituent to express my strong opposition to House Bill 4730 and to urge you to vote against it when it comes before the Senate.

Here area few of the critical issues with this bill:

  1. HB 4730 prevents children from finding permanency. The 48-hour rule was enacted to coincide with hospital discharge so that the child could go home with the adoptive parents. The additional five days creates a risk of the baby being removed from the adoptive family with whom he or she has begun bonding with. This type of disruption is an additional trauma that these babies do not need or deserve.
  2. Adoption agencies may not be able to locate the birth parent(s) for the signing 7 days after birth. The number of children in foster care will increase if the birth parent(s) do not sign, forcing the Department to step in and take custody.
  3. This will increase the cost of adoption to adoptive parents because of the delay in ICPC processing and the cost of travel and locating birth parent(s) to sign.
  4. This bill will create a significant legal risk to the adoptive parents and the child, and may deter many prospective adoptive families from adopting in-state.

Texas should lead the nation in ethical, compassionate, and transparent adoption practices—not weaken the protections that ensure adoption is truly in the best interest of the child.

I respectfully ask that you oppose House Bill 4730 and stand with birth parents, adoptees, and ethical adoption professionals who are calling for thoughtful, trauma-informed legislation that honors everyone involved in the adoption triad.