By Goodman                                             H.B. No. 590
         77R172 JMM-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the adoption of biological siblings.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 162, Family Code, is amended
 1-5     by adding Section 162.307 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 162.307.  ADOPTION OF BIOLOGICAL SIBLINGS. (a)  In
 1-7     providing  services under Section 162.306, the department shall
 1-8     inform the adoptive parents of a child of any subsequently born
 1-9     biological sibling of the child who is available for adoption.
1-10           (b)  The department shall make a good faith effort to locate
1-11     adoptive parents who are not receiving services under Section
1-12     162.306 to inform the parents of the availability for adoption of a
1-13     subsequently born biological sibling of the parents' adopted child.
1-14           (c)  A parent contacted by the department under this section
1-15     has the right to be considered first for the adoption of a child
1-16     who is the sibling of the parent's child.
1-17           (d)  The department may refuse to inform a parent under this
1-18     section only for a reason permitted under criteria adopted by
1-19     department rule.
1-20           SECTION 2. Section 264.110, Family Code, is amended by adding
1-21     Subsection (i) to read as follows:
1-22           (i)  The department shall include in the adoptive parent
1-23     registry under this section the names of adoptive parents who are
1-24     willing to accept placement of a subsequently born sibling of the
 2-1     parents' adopted child.  The department shall provide notice to the
 2-2     parents under Section 264.307 if a child is available for adoption.
 2-3           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-4     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-5     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-6     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-7     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.