Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 819	Senate Author:  Harris et al.
Effective:  9-1-11	House Sponsor:  Thompson

            Senate Bill 819 amends the Family Code to authorize a Texas court with jurisdiction over protective order and family violence proceedings to enforce a protective order rendered by another court in the same manner that the other court could enforce the order, regardless of whether the order is transferred,  including enforcement through contempt, and establishes venue for a motion for enforcement of a protective order.  The bill extends authority to file an application for a protective order with regard to dating violence to any member of the dating relationship, regardless of whether the member is an adult or a child.  The bill provides for the validity of a child's signed statement alleging family violence with regard to a temporary ex parte order for protection against family violence and limits the temporary ex parte orders for which a court may recess a hearing to contact the respondent by telephone and provide the respondent the opportunity to be present when the court resumes the hearing.  The bill requires each temporary ex parte protective order issued to contain a specified statement regarding the punishment for a violation of the order.