By Harris S.B. No. 147 76R2390 JMM-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the designation of the primary physical residence of a 1-3 child in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 153.136, Family Code, is amended to read 1-6 as follows: 1-7 Sec. 153.136. COURT DESIGNATION OF PRIMARY PHYSICAL 1-8 RESIDENCE. (a) If joint managing conservatorship is ordered, the 1-9 best interest of the child ordinarily requires the court to 1-10 designate a primary physical residence for the child. 1-11 (b) In designating the primary physical residence of the 1-12 child, the court shall consider as one factor favoring the 1-13 designation of a parent's residence as the primary physical 1-14 residence whether the parent is more likely to allow the child 1-15 frequent and continuing contact with the other parent and to 1-16 facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child 1-17 relationship between the child and the other parent. 1-18 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and 1-19 applies only to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship 1-20 filed on or after that date. A suit affecting the parent-child 1-21 relationship filed before the effective date of this Act is 1-22 governed by the law in effect on the date the suit was filed, and 1-23 the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 1-24 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.