Which agency can seek a court order to provide needed medical treatment for a child in Texas?

• A. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
• B. Texas Department of Health
• C. Texas Department of Education
• D. Texas Department of Public Safety

Answer: (A)

In Texas, the agency charged with protecting children can petition the court to authorize needed medical treatment for a child. That agency is the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). When a child’s health needs treatment and a parent or guardian won’t consent, DFPS can seek a court order to ensure the child receives essential medical care in the child’s best interest.

The other agencies don’t have this authority in the protective context. The health department handles public health programs and services, not individual court-ordered medical decisions for a specific child. The education department focuses on schooling, and the public safety department is about law enforcement and public safety, not medical treatment orders for minors.