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78R5792 MCK-D

By:  Phillips                                                     H.B. No. 1690



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the time in which a final order must be rendered in 
certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 263.401, Family Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as 
follows:
	(c)  If the court grants an extension but does not render a 
final order or dismiss the suit on or before the required date for 
dismissal under Subsection (b), the court for good cause may grant a 
second extension and retain the suit on the court's docket for a 
period not to exceed the 180th day after the required date for 
dismissal under Subsection (b)(1).  If the court retains the suit on 
the court's docket, the court shall render an order in which the 
court:
		(1)  schedules the new date for dismissal of the suit 
not later than the 180th day after the time described by Subsection 
(b)(1);
		(2)  makes further temporary orders for the safety and 
welfare of the child as necessary to avoid further delay in 
resolving the suit; and
		(3)  sets a final hearing on a date that allows the 
court to render a final order before the required date for dismissal 
of the suit under this subsection.
	(c-1)  If the court grants a second extension but does not 
render a final order or dismiss the suit on or before the required 
date for dismissal under Subsection (c)(1), the court shall dismiss 
the suit.  The court may not grant an additional extension that 
extends the suit beyond the required date for dismissal under 
Subsection (c)(1)[(b)].
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by 
the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services that is 
pending in a trial court on or filed on or after that date.