86R5384 MM-D
 
  By: Dean H.B. No. 1910
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to consideration of a child's gender identity or
  expression in suits affecting the parent-child relationship and
  other proceedings involving children.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 101, Family Code, is amended by adding
  Section 101.0137 to read as follows:
         Sec. 101.0137.  GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION. "Gender
  identity or expression" means having or being perceived as having a
  gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior,
  regardless of whether that identity, appearance, expression, or
  behavior is different from that commonly associated with the
  individual's actual or perceived sex.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 153.0041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 153.0041.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CHILD'S GENDER IDENTITY
  OR EXPRESSION. In determining whether to appoint a party as a sole
  or joint managing conservator of a child, the court may not consider
  evidence regarding whether the party demonstrates a history or
  pattern of acknowledging or declining to acknowledge the child's
  gender identity or expression.
         SECTION 3.  Section 161.001(c), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  A court may not make a finding under Subsection (b) and
  order termination of the parent-child relationship based on
  evidence that the parent:
               (1)  homeschooled the child;
               (2)  is economically disadvantaged;
               (3)  has been charged with a nonviolent misdemeanor
  offense other than:
                     (A)  an offense under Title 5, Penal Code;
                     (B)  an offense under Title 6, Penal Code; or
                     (C)  an offense that involves family violence, as
  defined by Section 71.004 of this code;
               (4)  provided or administered low-THC cannabis to a
  child for whom the low-THC cannabis was prescribed under Chapter
  169, Occupations Code; [or]
               (5)  declined immunization for the child for reasons of
  conscience, including a religious belief; or
               (6)  acknowledges or declines to acknowledge the
  child's gender identity or expression.
         SECTION 4.  Section 261.001, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
               (1-a)  "Abuse" does not include a person's willingness
  or unwillingness to acknowledge a child's gender identity or
  expression.
         SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is filed on or
  after the effective date of this Act. A suit affecting the
  parent-child relationship filed before that date is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the suit was filed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.