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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a court's temporary extended jurisdiction over certain |
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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. Section 263.403(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Notwithstanding Section 263.401, the court may retain |
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jurisdiction and not dismiss the suit or render a final order as |
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required by that section if the court renders a temporary order |
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that: |
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(1) finds that retaining jurisdiction under this |
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section is in the best interest of the child; |
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(2) orders the department to: |
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(A) return the child to the child's parent; or |
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(B) transition the child, according to a schedule |
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determined by the department, from substitute care to the parent |
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while the parent completes the remaining requirements imposed under |
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a service plan and specified in the temporary order that are |
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necessary for the child's return; |
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(3) orders the department to continue to serve as |
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temporary managing conservator of the child; and |
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(4) orders the department to monitor the child's |
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placement to ensure that the child is in a safe environment. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |