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79R5567 MCK-D
By: Farrar H.B. No. 270
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 270:
By: Goodman C.S.H.B. No. 270
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to court-ordered access to a child by the child's sibling.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 102, Family Code, is amended by adding
Section 102.0045 to read as follows:
Sec. 102.0045. STANDING FOR SIBLING. (a) The sibling of a
child may file an original suit requesting access to the child as
provided by Section 153.551 if the sibling is at least 18 years of
age.
(b) Access to a child by a sibling of the child is governed
by the standards established by Subchapter J, Chapter 153.
SECTION 2. Chapter 153, Family Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. RIGHTS OF SIBLINGS
Sec. 153.551. SUIT FOR ACCESS. (a) The sibling of a child
who is separated from the child because of an action taken by the
Department of Family and Protective Services may request access to
the child by filing:
(1) an original suit; or
(2) a suit for modification as provided by Chapter
156.
(b) The sibling of a child may request access to the child in
a suit filed for the sole purpose of requesting the relief, without
regard to whether the appointment of a managing conservator is an
issue in the suit.
Sec. 153.552. ACCESS TO SIBLING. The court shall order
reasonable access to a child by the child's sibling if the court
finds that access is in the best interest of the child.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.