By Thompson                                           H.B. No. 2158
         77R5221 MCK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the acceleration of the appeal in certain suits
 1-3     affecting the parent-child relationship.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 109.002(a), Family Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  An appeal from a final order rendered in a suit, when
 1-8     allowed under this section or under other provisions of law, shall
 1-9     be as in civil cases generally.  An appeal in a suit in which
1-10     termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue shall be
1-11     given precedence over other civil cases and shall be accelerated by
1-12     the appellate courts.  The procedures for an accelerated appeal
1-13     under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure apply to an appeal in
1-14     which the termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue.
1-15           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-16     applies only to an appeal in a suit affecting the parent-child
1-17     relationship pending on or begun on or after that date.