Bill Text: TX HB526 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the time period during which a court must interview certain children in chambers on issues regarding conservatorship and residence in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-01 - Referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues [HB526 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB526-Introduced.html
87R2116 EAS-D | ||
By: White | H.B. No. 526 |
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relating to the time period during which a court must interview | ||
certain children in chambers on issues regarding conservatorship | ||
and residence in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 153.009(a), Family Code, is amended to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(a) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of | ||
a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the | ||
child, the court shall interview in chambers a child 12 years of age | ||
or older and may interview in chambers a child under 12 years of age | ||
to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship or as to the | ||
person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child's | ||
primary residence. The court may also interview a child in chambers | ||
on the court's own motion for a purpose specified by this | ||
subsection. An interview of a child 12 years of age or older | ||
required under this subsection must be conducted not later than the | ||
60th business day after the date the application is filed by the | ||
party, amicus attorney, or attorney ad litem, as applicable. | ||
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a | ||
suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is pending in a | ||
trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is filed on or | ||
after the effective date of this Act. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |