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79R799 MCK-D

By:  Farrar                                                       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.
	(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 the divorce of the 
child's parents or 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.