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