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House Bill 3003 |
House Author: Thompson, Senfronia |
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Effective: 9-1-15 |
Senate Sponsor: Garcia |
House Bill 3003 amends the Family Code to authorize a county commissioners court to create an office of child representation, an office of parent representation, or both offices to provide legal representation and services for a child or parent, as applicable, in a suit filed by a governmental entity seeking termination of the parent-child relationship or the appointment of a conservator for the child or to contract with a nonprofit corporation to provide those services. The commissioners court of two or more counties may enter into a written agreement to jointly create and fund a regional office of child representation, a regional office of parent representation, or both regional offices. Further, the bill authorizes a commissioners court to appoint a governmental entity, nonprofit corporation, or local bar association to operate a managed assigned counsel program for the purpose of appointing counsel to provide legal representation and services for a child or parent in a suit seeking termination of the parent-child relationship or the appointment of a conservator for the child.