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AN ACT
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relating to the duration of certain protective orders against |
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family violence. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 85.025(a-1), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a-1) The court may render a protective order sufficient to |
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protect the applicant and members of the applicant's family or |
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household that is effective for a period that exceeds two years if |
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the court finds that the person who is the subject of the protective |
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order: |
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(1) committed an act constituting a felony offense |
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involving family violence against the applicant or a member of the |
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applicant's family or household, regardless of whether the person |
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has been charged with or convicted of the offense; |
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(2) caused serious bodily injury to the applicant or a |
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member of the applicant's family or household; or |
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(3) [(2)] was the subject of two or more previous |
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protective orders rendered: |
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(A) to protect the person on whose behalf the |
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current protective order is sought; and |
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(B) after a finding by the court that the subject |
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of the protective order: |
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(i) has committed family violence; and |
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(ii) is likely to commit family violence in |
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the future. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an application for a protective order that is filed on or after |
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the effective date of this Act. An application for a protective |
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order filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
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law in effect on the date the application is filed, and the former |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 712 passed the Senate on |
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April 3, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 712 passed the House on |
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May 9, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, one present |
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not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |