78R7720 JMM-F

By:  Gallegos                                                     S.B. No. 1691



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the availability for public inspection of a final order 
in a parentage action.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 160.633, Family Code, is amended to read 
as follows:     
	Sec. 160.633.  FINAL ORDER AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC [HEARINGS;] 
INSPECTION [OF RECORDS].  [(a)  On the request of a party and for 
good cause shown, the court may order a proceeding under this 
subchapter closed to the public.
	[(b)]  A final order in a proceeding under this subchapter is 
available for public inspection.  [Other papers and records are 
available only with the consent of the parties or on order of the 
court for good cause.]
	SECTION 2.  Section 231.108, Family Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
	(g)  The final order in a suit adjudicating parentage is 
available for public inspection as provided by Section 160.633.
	SECTION 3.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                      
	(b)  The change in law made by this Act applies to a suit 
affecting the parent-child relationship commenced before, on, or 
after the effective date of this Act.