Bill Text: TX HB306 | 2027-2028 | 90th Legislature Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the consideration of a history of family violence, child neglect or abuse, or sexual offenses in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced) 2026-11-09 - Filed [HB306 Detail]

Download: Texas-2027-HB306-Introduced.html
  90R2216 AMF-D
 
  By: Curry H.B. No. 306
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the consideration of a history of family violence,
  child neglect or abuse, or sexual offenses in suits affecting the
  parent-child relationship.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 153.004(a), (d), and (f), Family Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In determining whether to appoint a party as a sole or
  joint managing conservator, the court shall consider evidence of 
  the intentional use of abusive physical force, or evidence of
  sexual abuse, by a party directed against the party's spouse, a
  parent of the child, or any person younger than 18 years of age
  committed:
               (1)  during the [within a two-year] period preceding
  the date of the filing of the suit beginning on the earlier of:
                     (A)  five years before the date the suit was
  filed; or
                     (B)  the date the parties to the suit began to live
  separate and apart; or
               (2)  during the pendency of the suit.
         (d)  The court may not allow a parent to have access to a
  child for whom it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that:
               (1)  there is a history or pattern of committing family
  violence:
                     (A)  during the period [two years] preceding the
  date of the filing of the suit beginning on the earlier of:
                           (i)  five years before the date the suit was
  filed; or
                           (ii)  the date the parties to the suit began
  to live separate and apart; or
                     (B)  during the pendency of the suit; or
               (2)  the parent engaged in conduct that constitutes an
  offense under Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code,
  and that as a direct result of the conduct, the victim of the
  conduct became pregnant with the parent's child.
         (f)  In determining under this section whether there is
  credible evidence of a history or pattern of past or present child
  neglect or abuse or family violence by a parent or other person, as
  applicable, the court shall consider whether a protective order was
  rendered under  Chapter 85 [, Title 4,] against the parent or other
  person: 
               (1)  during the [two-year] period preceding the date of
  the filing of the suit beginning on the earlier of:
                     (A)  five years before the date the suit was
  filed; or
                     (B)  the date the parties to the suit began to live
  separate and apart; or
               (2)  during the pendency of the suit.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a suit affecting the parent-child relationship pending in a trial
  court on the effective date of this Act or filed on or after that
  date.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect July 1, 2027, if it
  receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
  house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for effect on that
  date, this Act takes effect September 1, 2027.
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