87R19884 MLH-F
 
  By: Ramos, Wu H.B. No. 3009
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to child custody evaluations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 107.103, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:
         (e)  In appointing a child custody evaluator in a suit in
  which a party subject to the child custody evaluation does not speak
  English as a primary language, the court shall ensure that the child
  custody evaluator:
               (1)  is able to effectively communicate in the primary
  language of the party; or
               (2)  will be assisted by a licensed or certified
  interpreter.
         (f)  A licensed or certified interpreter assisting a child
  custody evaluator under Subsection (e)(2) may accompany the
  evaluator in person or assist through use of audio or video
  conferencing technology.
         (g)  The court may require the parties to pay any costs
  associated with obtaining assistance for a child custody evaluator
  from a licensed or certified interpreter.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a child custody evaluation conducted on or after the effective
  date of this Act, regardless of whether the suit affecting the
  parent-child relationship was filed before, on, or after that date.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.