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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the definition of abuse or neglect of a child. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 261, Family Code is |
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amended by adding Section 261.0011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 261.0011. EXCLUSIONS. In this chapter, “abuse” and “ |
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neglect,” as defined in Sec. 261.001, do not include the refusal of |
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the child’s parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for |
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a child’s care, custody, or welfare to: |
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(a) affirm the child’s expressed sexual orientation or |
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gender identity; or |
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(b) address the child according to the child’s preferred |
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name or pronoun(s), regardless of whether the child has legally |
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changed their name. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |