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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to access of an adopted child to the adopted child's |
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biological siblings in certain circumstances. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 102, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 102.0046 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 102.0046. STANDING FOR ADOPTIVE PARENT. The parent of |
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an adopted child may file an original suit requesting access to a |
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biological sibling of the child as provided by Section 162.024. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 162.024 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 162.024. ACCESS TO SIBLINGS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Biological sibling" means a person with whom a |
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child shares a common birth parent. |
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(2) "Birth parent" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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162.402. |
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(b) The parent of an adopted child may file an original suit |
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to request access on behalf of the child to a biological sibling of |
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the child adopted by another person. |
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(c) Subsection (b) applies only to the extent that a parent |
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of an adopted child is aware of the existence of a biological |
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sibling adopted by another person and the identity of that person, |
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and does not entitle the parent to confidential information |
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regarding a biological sibling or adoptive parent. |
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(d) The court shall order reasonable access to the |
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biological sibling if the court finds that access is in the best |
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interest of both children. |
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SECTION 3. Section 162.018, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) The department, a licensed child-placing agency, or |
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another entity or person placing a child for adoption shall provide |
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the child's adoptive parent with any information known to the |
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department, agency, entity, or person that is not confidential |
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regarding the adoption of a biological sibling, as defined by |
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Section 162.024, of the child by another person. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |