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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the time period during which a court must interview |
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certain children in chambers on issues regarding conservatorship |
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and residence in a suit 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 153.009(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of |
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a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the |
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child, the court shall interview in chambers a child 12 years of age |
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or older and may interview in chambers a child under 12 years of age |
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to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship or as to the |
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person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child's |
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primary residence. The court may also interview a child in chambers |
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on the court's own motion for a purpose specified by this |
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subsection. An interview of a child 12 years of age or older |
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required under this subsection must be conducted not later than the |
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60th business day after the date the application is filed by the |
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party, amicus attorney, or attorney ad litem, as applicable. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is pending in a |
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trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is filed on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |