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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to child custody evaluations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 107.103, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows: |
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(e) In appointing a child custody evaluator in a suit in |
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which a party subject to the child custody evaluation does not speak |
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English as a primary language, the court shall ensure that the child |
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custody evaluator: |
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(1) is able to effectively communicate in the primary |
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language of the party; or |
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(2) will be assisted by a licensed or certified |
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interpreter. |
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(f) A licensed or certified interpreter assisting a child |
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custody evaluator under Subsection (e)(2) may accompany the |
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evaluator in person or assist through use of audio or video |
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conferencing technology. |
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(g) The court may require the parties to pay any costs |
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associated with obtaining assistance for a child custody evaluator |
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from a licensed or certified interpreter. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a child custody evaluation conducted on or after the effective |
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date of this Act, regardless of whether the suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship was filed before, on, or after that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |