I’ve raised my two-year-old granddaughter alone since she was five months old. Her parents aren’t involved, and I have no legal custody—so I can’t access healthcare or support for her. I created the Grandparent Custody Empowerment Act as a gateway to custody and help for caregivers like me. This Texas pilot can become a national model.

Thousands of grandparents in Texas find themselves in similar situations—doing the hard work of parenting without any legal rights or support. Currently, these caregivers lack custody, medical authority, access to financial aid, and insurance. Their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation is done without the recognition or assistance they so desperately need.

To address this, the Grandparent Custody Empowerment Act has been proposed. This pilot program is designed to facilitate legal standing and support for these critical caregivers without forcing them through the burdensome process of Child Protective Services (CPS). It acknowledges their pivotal role and provides a framework for custody, thereby granting access to healthcare, educational, and financial resources essential for any child’s development.

The importance of this petition cannot be overstated. It urges Texas lawmakers to co-sponsor and fund the Grandparent Custody Empowerment Act. By doing so, it offers immediate relief to families across the state and sets a precedent for other states dealing with similar challenges.

Your signature can make an impactful difference. Help us bring attention to this essential cause and support the dedicated grandparents who are already stepping up where others have not. Empower them with the legal rights and support they deserve. Please sign this petition and stand with us in protecting and dignifying the lives of grandparents and the grandchildren they are tenaciously raising every day.