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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 101, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 101.0096 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 101.0096. DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. "Digitized signature" |
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means a graphic image of a handwritten signature having the same |
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legal force and effect for all purposes as a handwritten signature. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 102, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 102.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 102.014. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an original petition under this chapter or any other |
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pleading or order in a suit satisfies the requirements for and |
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imposes the duties of signatories to pleadings, motions, and other |
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papers identified under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapters |
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101 and 102, Family Code, apply only to a suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship filed on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. A suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed |
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before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |