1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the appeal of certain suits affecting the parent-child
 1-3     relationship.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 109.001, Family Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Subsection (d) to read as follows:
 1-7           (d)  The court may not suspend under Subsection (a)(6) the
 1-8     operation of an order or judgment terminating the parent-child
 1-9     relationship in a suit brought by the state or a political
1-10     subdivision of the state permitted by law to bring the suit.
1-11           SECTION 2. Sections 109.002(a) and (c), Family Code, are
1-12     amended to read as follows:
1-13           (a)  An appeal from a final order rendered in a suit, when
1-14     allowed under this section or under other provisions of law, shall
1-15     be as in civil cases generally.  An appeal in a suit in which
1-16     termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue shall be
1-17     given precedence over other civil cases and shall be accelerated by
1-18     the appellate courts.  The procedures for an accelerated appeal
1-19     under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure apply to an appeal in
1-20     which the termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue.
1-21           (c)  An appeal from a final order, with or without a
1-22     supersedeas bond, does not suspend the order unless suspension is
1-23     ordered by the court rendering the order.  The appellate court, on
1-24     a proper showing, may permit the order to be suspended, unless the
 2-1     order provides for the termination of the parent-child relationship
 2-2     in a suit brought by the state or a political subdivision of the
 2-3     state permitted by law to bring the suit.
 2-4           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
 2-5     applies only to an appeal in a suit affecting the parent-child
 2-6     relationship pending on or commenced on or after the effective date
 2-7     of this Act.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2381 was passed by the House on April
         5, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2381 was passed by the Senate on May
         15, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
         voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor