By Smith H.B. No. 3344
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the interview of a child in chambers in a suit
1-3 affecting the parent-child relationship.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Sections 153.009(b) and (d), Family Code, are
1-6 amended to read as follows:
1-7 (b) When the issue of managing conservatorship is contested,
1-8 on the application of a party, the court shall interview a child
1-9 [12] 10 years of age or older and may interview a child under [12]
1-10 10 years of age. Interviewing a child does not diminish the
1-11 discretion of the court.
1-12 (d) On the motion of a party or on the court's own motion,
1-13 the court shall cause a record of the interview to be made when the
1-14 child is [12] 10 years of age or older. A record of the interview
1-15 shall be part of the record in the case.
1-16 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
1-17 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.