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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to adoption by a stepparent. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 162.0027 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 162.0027. ADOPTION BY STEPPARENT. (a) In a suit for |
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adoption, a court or person performing an adoption evaluation may |
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not grant preference to a relative of the child over a stepparent of |
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the child solely on the basis of consanguinity. |
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(b) If a parent of the child dies, leaving the child with no |
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living parent whose parental rights have not been terminated, the |
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court may grant a stepparent's petition for adoption on an |
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expedited basis, provided that all requirements of this chapter are |
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fulfilled. The child may reside with the stepparent while the |
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adoption petition is pending, unless the court finds that would not |
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be in the best interest of the child. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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petition for adoption filed on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |