The Sunset Advisory Commission is reviewing the mission and performance of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and welcomes comments from the public on whether the agency is still needed, the agency’s performance in fulfilling its mission, and ideas to improve DFPS’ operations and services.

The Texas Sunset Act requires the Sunset Commission to periodically review DFPS and recommend whether to continue the agency, implement Sunset staff’s recommendations to improve agency efficiency and effectiveness (Sunset management directives), or change state law to improve the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness. The Legislature ultimately will decide whether to continue DFPS or adopt the Sunset Commission’s other statutory recommendations.

The Sunset process has three stages. First, Sunset staff will evaluate DFPS, seek public input, and issue a report recommending solutions to problems found. Second, the Sunset Commission will hold two public meetings: a hearing on the staff report and the agency, and a decision meeting to adopt recommendations based on the report and public comments. Third, the Legislature will convene in January 2027 and will consider the Sunset Commission’s adopted statutory recommendations in a Sunset bill for DFPS.

Read the DFPS Sunset Self-Evaluation Report

Submit Your Input

Here are several ways to provide comments and suggestions to Sunset staff on DFPS’ mission, operations, and services:

  • Send an email to sunset@sunset.texas.gov, with DFPS Review in the subject line,
  • Submit comments online at www.sunset.texas.gov/input-form,
  • Send a letter to Sunset Advisory Commission, Attn: DFPS, P.O. Box 13066, Austin, Texas 78711, or
  • Call (512) 463-1300 to speak to Senaida San Miguel, project manager of the DFPS review.

Please provide your comments by April 2026 to ensure Sunset staff can fully consider your input while conducting their review. Comments submitted before the staff report is published in October 2026 will remain confidential.

Stay informed! Members of the public and regulated parties may also visit www.sunset.texas.gov/join-mailing-list to sign up for email alerts on the Sunset staff report and the Sunset Commission’s public meetings on DFPS.