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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting |
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the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family |
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and Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 263, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 263.4012 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 263.4012. PROHIBITING DISMISSAL WHEN CHILD IS MISSING. |
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Notwithstanding Section 263.401, the court shall retain |
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jurisdiction and may not dismiss the suit as required by that |
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section if the court finds the child is missing from the child's |
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substitute care provider. |
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SECTION 2. Section 263.501(g), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(g) Unless the child is adopted or permanent managing |
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conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than |
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the department, a [A] court required to conduct permanency hearings |
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for a child for whom the department has been appointed permanent |
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managing conservator may not dismiss a suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship filed by the department regarding the |
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child while the child is: |
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(1) committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department |
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or released under the supervision of the Texas Juvenile Justice |
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Department; or |
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(2) missing from the child's substitute care |
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provider[, unless the child is adopted or permanent managing |
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conservatorship of the child is awarded to an individual other than |
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the department]. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |