Texas House Bill 4730, currently under consideration in the Texas Senate, would change the waiting period for birth parents to sign a Relinquishment of Parental Rights, extending it from the current 48 hours to a full 7 days after birth.

Texas has built a respected reputation for balancing the needs of children, birth parents and adoptive families. HB 4730 threatens that progress, ultimately hurting the very people it’s meant to help.

Continue reading below to learn more about the far reaching impacts on adoption in Texas if this bill is passed.

Why 48 Hours Works — and 7 Days Doesn’t

Right now in Texas, the 48-hour waiting period gives birth parents a brief but meaningful window to rest, recover and reflect, typically aligning with hospital discharge. It’s a timeline that strikes the right balance between compassion and clarity.

But HB 4730 proposes extending that to 7 days, which may sound like a small change on paper, but in practice would create confusion, uncertainty and instability.

More time doesn’t always mean better decisions. Better support does.

When it comes to such a deeply emotional and personal decision, what birth parents need most isn’t a longer delay, it’s access to counseling, education and legal guidance.

How Texas Compares to Other States

Still wondering whether 48 hours is “too short”? Let’s take a look at how Texas stacks up nationwide:

  • Texas (Current): 48 hours
  • Texas (Proposed HB 4730): 7 days
  • Arkansas: No required waiting period; allows immediate signing post-birth
  • Louisiana: 3 days
  • New Mexico: 48 hours
  • Oklahoma: No required waiting period; allows immediate signing post-birth

National Overview

  • Most common waiting period: 72 hours (3 days), used in 18 states.
  • Shortest waiting periods: Kansas (12 hours), Utah (24 hours), Vermont (36 hours).
  • Longest waiting period: Rhode Island (15 days).

Texas’s current policy is actually in line with national norms. HB 4730 would place Texas on the more restrictive end of the spectrum, far out of step with states that prioritize timely permanency.

What Could Go Wrong? A Lot

If HB 4730 becomes law, the ripple effects will be wide and harmful.

1. Increased Legal and Emotional Risk

Agencies and adoptive families would be expected to take custody of a baby without any legal rights. That means seven days of uncertainty, emotional stress and the potential for last-minute disruptions that hurt everyone involved.

2. Disruptions in the Hospital and Beyond

Trying to reconnect with a birth parent a week after they’ve left the hospital isn’t always possible. That makes it harder to finalize adoptions and puts children in legal limbo.

3. ICPC Delays and Increased Costs for Adoptive Families

Out-of-state families would face longer stays and more expenses due to ICPC delays. Many may decide that adopting in Texas isn’t worth the added risk and cost.

4. More Children May End Up in Foster Care

If a birth parent can’t sign at the hospital, that child may need to go into temporary state custody, not for safety reasons, but due to legal delays.

5. More Red Tape for Ethical Agencies

HB 4730 adds new paperwork, forms and audits for agencies already operating with integrity without improving outcomes for birth parents or children.

A Better Solution: Support, Not Delay

We absolutely agree that birth parents should never feel rushed or uninformed. But the way to achieve that is through education, not delay.

  • Ensure birth parents have access to independent legal counsel before signing.
  • Provide trauma-informed counseling so every decision is made with clarity and confidence.
  • Keeping the 48-hour window that aligns with hospital discharge and reduces disruption for the child.

We can protect birth parents and create healthy adoptive families without putting more children at risk or creating more barriers for hopeful parents.

Here’s How You Can Help

The legislative session ends June 2, which means you’ll need to act fast to stop this bill.

Find out who represents you and contact your state senator today to urge them to VOTE NO on HB 4730.

You can refer to the five points above for key talking points when speaking with your Senator. Share this information with friends, family, colleagues, etc. and encourage them to call or email their local Senator today.

Let’s Keep Texas Moving Forward

At American Adoptions, we’re doing everything we can to oppose HB 4730 but we can’t do it alone.

Whether you’re a hopeful adoptive family, a birth parent, a professional in the field or simply someone who cares about ethical adoption in Texas, you can make difference.

Let’s focus on real, meaningful ways to support birth parents, not delays that only create more harm than good.

If you have questions about the broader implications of the House Bill and how it could impact Texas adoption, get in touch with our team.