H.B. No. 3009

AN ACT

relating to child custody evaluations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 107.103, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:

(e) In appointing a child custody evaluator in a suit in which a party subject to the child custody evaluation does not speak English as a primary language, the court shall ensure that the child custody evaluator:

(1) is able to effectively communicate in the primary language of the party; or

(2) will be assisted by a licensed or certified interpreter.

(f) A licensed or certified interpreter assisting a child custody evaluator under Subsection (e)(2) may accompany the evaluator in person or assist through use of audio or video conferencing technology.

(g) The court may require the parties to pay any costs associated with obtaining assistance for a child custody evaluator from a licensed or certified interpreter.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a child custody evaluation conducted on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of whether the suit affecting the parent-child relationship was filed before, on, or after that date.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 3009 was passed by the House on May 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 116, Nays 23, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 3009 was passed by the Senate on May 27, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________

Date

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Governor