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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the requirement that a court interview certain children |
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in chambers on issues regarding conservatorship and residence in a |
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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, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), in a nonjury trial or |
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at a hearing, the court shall interview in chambers a child 16 years |
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of age or older to determine the child's wishes as to |
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conservatorship or as to the person who shall have the exclusive |
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right to determine the child's primary residence regardless of |
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whether an application for an interview with the child has been made |
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to the court by a person as described by that subsection. |
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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. |