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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the remote participation of certain persons in a |
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proceeding for the issuance or modification of a protective order. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 84.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 84.007. REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY APPLICANT OR WITNESS. |
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On written request by an applicant or a witness who is to be |
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protected by a proposed protective order, the court shall provide a |
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method by which the applicant or witness may give testimony or |
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otherwise participate in the hearing on the application for the |
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protective order remotely, unless the court finds there is good |
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cause to deny the request to participate remotely. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 87, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 87.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 87.005. REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY APPLICANT OR WITNESS. |
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On written request by an applicant or a witness who is protected by |
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a protective order, the court shall provide a method by which the |
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applicant or witness may give testimony or otherwise participate in |
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the hearing on the motion for modification of the protective order |
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remotely, unless the court finds there is good cause to deny the |
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request to participate remotely. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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proceeding under Subtitle B, Title 4, Family Code, that is pending |
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on or filed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |