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79R7580 MCK-D

By:  Raymond                                                      H.B. No. 2359



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the time in which certain persons found to have engaged 
in family violence must complete court-ordered counseling.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 85.024(a), Family Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	(a)  A person found to have engaged in family violence who is 
ordered to attend a program or counseling under Section 
85.022(a)(1) or (2) shall file with the court an affidavit before 
the 60th day after the date the order was rendered stating either 
that the person has begun the program or counseling or that a 
program or counseling is not available within a reasonable distance 
from the person's residence.  A person who files an affidavit that 
the person has begun the program or counseling shall file with the 
court before the date the protective order expires a statement that 
the person completed the program or counseling not later than the 
30th day before the expiration date of the protective order or the 
30th day before the first anniversary of the date the protective 
order was issued, whichever date is earlier.  An affidavit under 
this subsection must be accompanied by a letter, notice, or 
certificate from the program or counselor that verifies the 
person's completion of the program or counseling.  A person who 
fails to comply with this subsection may be punished for contempt of 
court under Section 21.002, Government Code.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to a protective order rendered under Title 4, Family Code, on or 
after the effective date of this Act.  A protective order rendered 
before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the 
order was rendered, and the former law is continued in effect for 
that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.