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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requirements applicable to an attorney ad litem |
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appointed to represent a parent in a child protective services |
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case. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 107.013, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: |
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(e) An attorney ad litem appointed for a parent under this |
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section shall complete at least three hours of continuing legal |
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education relating to representing parents in child abuse and |
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neglect cases as soon as practicable after the attorney ad litem's |
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appointment. An attorney ad litem is not required to comply with |
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this subsection if the court finds that the attorney ad litem has |
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experience equivalent to the required education. |
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(f) An attorney ad litem appointed for a parent shall become |
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familiar with the American Bar Association's standards of practice |
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for attorneys who represent parents in abuse and neglect cases. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 107.013(e) and (f), Family Code, as |
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added by this Act, apply to a suit affecting the parent-child |
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relationship filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A |
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suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |