GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT

December 23, 2020

The Honorable Cecile Young

Executive Commissioner
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
4900 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78751

The Honorable Jaime Masters

Commissioner
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
701 West 51st Street
Austin, Texas 78751

Dear Executive Commissioner Young and Commissioner Masters:

Thank you for your leadership and for the important work that your respective agencies do for Texas.

As you know, on December 18, 2020, the district court issued an order in M.D., et al. v. Abbott, et al. (S.D.
Tex.), finding that the State Defendants had not complied with certain aspects of the court’s remedial order
for a particular period of time. The court ordered the State Defendants to certify compliance in various
respects by January 2 and January 19, 2021.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the State of Texas, and as one of the State Defendants in my official
capacity along with your agencies, I expect you to ensure that your agencies fully comply with the
remedial orders at issue and submit certifications of compliance by the required dates in order to avoid
unnecessary fines. I am confident that the certifications you submit will demonstrate full compliance with
the December 18 order. We must do everything possible to protect children in the State’s permanent
managing conservatorship from abuse and neglect.

Sincerely,

Greg Abbott
Governor

GA:acd
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