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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a petition or motion filed in a suit for termination of |
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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 161.101, Family Code, is amended to read |
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as follows: |
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Sec. 161.101. PETITION ALLEGATIONS; PETITION AND MOTION |
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REQUIREMENTS. (a) A petition for the termination of the |
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parent-child relationship is sufficient without the necessity of |
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specifying the underlying facts if the petition alleges in the |
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statutory language the ground for the termination and that |
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termination is in the best interest of the child. |
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(b) A petition or motion filed by the Department of Family |
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and Protective Services in a suit for termination of the |
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parent-child relationship is subject to Chapter 10, Civil Practice |
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and Remedies Code, and Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.101, Family Code, as amended by this |
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Act, applies only to a petition or motion filed by the Department of |
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Family and Protective Services on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. A petition or motion filed by the department before that |
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date is governed by the law in effect on the date the petition or |
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motion was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |