The Children's Commission is not endorsing any of the court orders listed below by county, but instead providing a repository for purposes of information sharing during the period when emergency orders are in effect. The Children's Commission expresses no opinion about the content of the regional court orders listed below.

 

Supreme Court Emergency Orders Affecting Child Protection Cases

• First Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Third Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Fourth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Twelfth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Fifteenth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Seventeenth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Eighteenth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Twenty-second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Twenty-sixth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster
• Thirty-second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster (regarding eviction proceedings only)

 

Resource Letters: Important Information for Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases

• Supreme Court of Texas 26th Emergency Order and Office of Court Administration Guidance for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic
• Benefits of Utilizing Technology in Child Welfare Cases
• Announcement regarding the Children’s Commission website, COVID-19 webpage and resource links
• Register Now: Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom on May 22nd
• Save the Date! Upcoming Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom
• Resources to Support Educational Success for Students in Foster Care During COVID-19
• Resources for Parents and Families Involved with CPS
• April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• Handling Sensitive or Protected Information in Child Protection Hearings; Interview of Child in Chambers
• Guidance for Services and Service Plans
• DFPS Issues Virtual Contact Guidelines for Caseworkers
• Current Suggested Best Practices for Family Visitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• COVID-19 Resources Related to CPS Cases 
• Supreme Court Emergency Orders Suspending Deadlines and Procedures

Children's Commission Recorded Webcast

• Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom

 

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Guidance 

• DFPS Virtual Contact Guidelines for FBSS and Family Reunification Workers
• DFPS Virtual Contact Guidelines for Conservatorship Workers

 

Office of Court Administration (OCA)

• Court Operation Guidance
• Zoom Information and YouTube Support
• YouTube Channel Directory
• Current and Upcoming Closures
• Collaborative Video Conferencing 
• Video Conferencing Best Practices & Tips

Helpful Links

• State Bar of Texas
• Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• Coronavirus Resources
• Help for Parents. Hope for Kids.
• Texas Education Agency: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support and Guidance
• TexasLawHelp.org
• CPS Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe Children
• Court closures, postponements, and procedures due to COVID-19
• Coronavirus and Child Visitation in Family Law Cases
• General Information for Reporting Child Abuse
• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: Services During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
• National Association of Counsel for Children: COVID-19 Resource Hub
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges: COVID-19 Resources and Updates
• Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute: Mental Health Resources

 

 

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Orders Issued By County

Anderson: Standing Judicial Order No. 2020-01

Angelina:  Eighth Amended Emergency Order Regarding Visitation and Other In-Person Contact in CPC Cases pending in Second Region CPC Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number Two Rules for Remote Hearings Order Prohibiting Electronic Recordings in Child Protection Cases Pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number 2 Procedures for Travel Requests during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

Baylor: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases

Bell:  Order Extending Deadlines Court Procedures for Attorneys, DFPS, CASA, and GALS

Bexar: Special Order no. 726934 State of Texas County of Bexar

Blanco: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Bosque: COVID-19 Order Limiting Hearings

Brazos: Eighth Amended Emergency Order Regarding Visitation and Other In-Person Contact in Child Protection Cases pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number Two Rules for Remote Hearings Order Prohibiting Electronic Recordings in Child Protection Cases Pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number 2 Procedures for Travel Requests during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

Brown: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Burnet: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Caldwell: Standing Order in the CenTex Child Protection Court South for Guadalupe, Gonzales, Lavaca, Colorado, and Caldwell Counties Evidentiary Order for Remote Hearings in an Effort to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 and to Protect All Parties

Cameron: Fifth Extended Temporary Standing Order Regarding Visitations in the Child Protecting Court for Cameron and Willacy Counties (Expires December 1, 2020)

Coke: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Collin:  Collin County District Courts Second Emergency Standing Order Regarding Possession Schedules During "Shelter-In-Place" Orders Collin County District Courts Emergency Standing Order Regarding Visits in Child Protection Cases Collin County District Courts Emergency Standing Order Regarding Possession Schedule During School Closures

Colorado: Standing Order in the CenTex Child Protection Court South for Guadalupe, Gonzales, Lavaca, Colorado, and Caldwell Counties Evidentiary Order for Remote Hearings in an Effort to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 and to Protect All Parties

Comal:  Standing Order Regarding Parent-Child Visitation in Comal and Hays County Child Protection Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Attorneys, CASA, DFPS, & Court Staff

Comanche: COVID-19 Order Limiting Hearings

Concho: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Cottle: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases

Crane: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Crockett: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the 112th Judicial District

Dallas: Dallas County Family Courts Joint Statement Regarding Health and Safety Concerns and Courts Settings Dallas County Family District Court Emergency Standing Order Regarding Possession Schedule During School Closures Dallas County Family District Courts' Joint Statement Re: Possession and Access During the March 22, 2020 Dallas County Amended Order to Stay Home, Stay Safe Additional CPS Ex Parte Orders in Considerations of National Emergency

Ector: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Fannin: 336th District Court Standing Order Regarding Child Protection Cases Parent-Child Visits to Transition to Electronic with No In-Person Visits

Gonzales: Standing Order in the CenTex Child Protection Court South for Guadalupe, Gonzales, Lavaca, Colorado, and Caldwell Counties Evidentiary Order for Remote Hearings in an Effort to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 and to Protect All Parties

Gregg: In the 307th and 124th District Courts and the County Court at Law No. 2 Standing Order Regarding Parent-Child Visitation in All Child Protection Cases in Gregg County

Grimes:  Eighth Amended Emergency Order Regarding Visitation and Other In-Person Contact in Child Protection Cases pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number Two Rules for Remote Hearings Order Prohibiting Electronic Recordings in Child Protection Cases Pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number 2 Procedures for Travel Requests during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

Guadalupe: Standing Order in the CenTex Child Protection Court South for Guadalupe, Gonzales, Lavaca, Colorado, and Caldwell Counties Evidentiary Order for Remote Hearings in an Effort to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 and to Protect All Parties

Hamilton: COVID-19 Order Limiting Hearings ​

Harris: Harris County District Court Judges Order for Inclement Weather, Emergency, and Public-Health Scheduling Procedures

Hays: Standing Order Regarding Parent-Child Visitation in Comal and Hays County Child Protection Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Attorneys, CASA, DFPS, & Court Staff

Hildalgo: Second Amended Emergency Standing Order Regarding Parent Child Visitations

Irion: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Jefferson: Order of the 279th District Court, Visitation for Children in the Conservatorship of the Texas DFPS

Jim Wells: 79th Judicial District Court Jim Wells County Court at Law General Standing Orders for Visitation in All Texas DFPS Services Cases Regarding COVID-19 State of Emergency

Kleberg: All Child Welfare Causes Before the Child Protection Court of Kleberg County Standing Order Regarding Parent-Child Visitations

Knox: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases

Lamar: Temporary Order Suspending In-Person Visitation in Chapter 262 Cases (CPS)

Lampasas: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Lavaca: Standing Order in the CenTex Child Protection Court South for Guadalupe, Gonzales, Lavaca, Colorado, and Caldwell Counties Evidentiary Order for Remote Hearings in an Effort to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 and to Protect All Parties

Llano: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Loving: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Madison:  Eighth Amended Emergency Order Regarding Visitation and Other In-Person Contact in Child Protection Cases pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number Two Rules for Remote Hearings Order Prohibiting Electronic Recordings in Child Protection Cases Pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number 2 Procedures for Travel Requests during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

Marion: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Midland: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Mills: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Morris: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Panola: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Parker: 415th District Court COVID-19 management for CPS cases

Pecos: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the 112th Judicial District

Polk: Standing Order Regarding Parent-Child Visitations in Polk County Standing Order Regarding Child Protection Cases in Polk, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties

Rains: Standing Order Reinstating Parent Child Visitation

Reagan: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the 112th Judicial District

Red River: Temporary Order Suspending In-Person Visitation in Chapter 262 Cases (CPS)

Reeves: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Runnels:  Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Rusk: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Sabine: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

San Augustine: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

San Jacinto:  Standing Order Regarding Child Protection Cases in Polk, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties Standing Order Regarding Hearings in Polk, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties

San Saba: Court Procedures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Schleicher: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Shelby: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Smith: Emergency Order Number One

Starr: Second Amended Emergency Standing Order Regarding Parent Child Visitations

Sutton: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the 112th Judicial District

Titus: Standing Order Reinstating Parent-Child Visitations

Tom Green: Standing Orders Regarding Status Hearings, Permanency Hearings and Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the Child Protection Court of the Concho Valley

Trinity: Standing Order Regarding Child Protection Cases in Polk, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties

Upton: Standing Order Regarding Visitation in Child Protection Cases in the 112th Judicial District

Van Zandt: Standing Order Reinstating Parent Child Visitation

Walker:  Eighth Amended Emergency Order Regarding Visitation and Other In-Person Contact in Child Protection Cases pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number Two Rules for Remote Hearings Order Prohibiting Electronic Recordings in Child Protection Cases Pending in Second Region Child Protection Court #2 for Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker Counties Second Region Child Protection Court Number 2 Procedures for Travel Requests during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

Ward: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Wichita: Order Suspending Deadlines in Child Protective Services Cases Supplement to Joint Statement of Wichita County District and County Courts Issued March 16, 2020

Willacy: Fifth Extended Temporary Standing Order Regarding Visitations in the Child Protecting Court for Cameron and Willacy Counties (Expires December 1, 2020)

Williamson:  General Order in the 368th, 395th, and 425th District Court and in the County Courts at Law Numbers One, Three and Four Third General Order Child Welfare Courts Regarding Virtual Court Hearings in a Virtual Courtroom Environment in Child Welfare Cases

Winkler: District Court of Ector County, Texas 446th Judicial District

Wood:  Standing Order Reinstating Parent Child Visitation  In the 402nd District Court In and For Wood County, Texas General Order Regarding Mediation