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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Marriage and |
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Family. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the |
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Texas Commission on Marriage and Family. |
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SECTION 2. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that: |
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(1) it is in the best interests of this state to |
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promote lasting marriage and the practice of raising children in |
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stable, two-parent households; |
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(2) Texas must promote evidence-based pathways to |
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support strong and healthy family connections by reducing barriers |
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that prevent Texans from marrying and raising children; |
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(3) certain state laws, rules, and policies may |
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discourage the positive and desirable ends of marriage and family |
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formation; and |
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(4) it is necessary to convene a commission to: |
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(A) study and develop strategies to promote |
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strong marriages and healthy families; and |
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(B) identify state laws, rules, and policies that |
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discourage Texans from marrying and raising children. |
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SECTION 3. PURPOSE. The commission is created to study and |
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develop strategies for promoting strong marriages and healthy |
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families and to make recommendations to the legislature to advance |
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the goal of creating an environment in this state that is favorable |
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for marriage and raising children. |
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SECTION 4. COMPOSITION. (a) The commission is composed of |
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seven members as follows: |
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(1) three members appointed by the governor; |
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(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor; |
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and |
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(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house |
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of representatives. |
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(b) In making the appointments under Subsection (a) of this |
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section, an appointing authority shall ensure the commission is |
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composed of members with a background and demonstrated expertise in |
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marriage and family formation, including: |
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(1) child and family counselors; |
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(2) child development experts; |
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(3) community-based nonprofit organization leaders |
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who work to promote healthy marriages and parenting; |
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(4) published researchers in the subjects of marriage, |
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parenting, and the benefits of strong and stable families in |
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society; and |
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(5) members of the clergy. |
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(c) The governor shall appoint one member of the commission |
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to serve as the commission's presiding officer. |
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SECTION 5. MEETINGS. (a) The commission shall meet at the |
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call of the commission's presiding officer. |
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(b) A meeting conducted under this section may be held in |
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person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. |
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(c) All commission meetings shall be open to the public. |
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(d) A member of the commission serves without compensation |
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but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses |
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incurred in performing official duties. |
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SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall provide administrative support services |
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at the request of the commission, including the provision of |
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meeting space and assistance in drafting and compiling the report |
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required by this Act. |
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SECTION 7. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. The commission shall: |
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(1) evaluate existing state laws, rules, and policies |
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and identify those that discourage Texans from marrying and raising |
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children; |
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(2) assess the effectiveness of: |
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(A) state-funded premarital education programs |
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and other initiatives promoting marriage; and |
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(B) state-funded programs in encouraging family |
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formation and helping parents develop and apply successful |
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parenting skills and techniques; and |
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(3) make recommendations to the legislature |
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regarding: |
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(A) necessary changes to state laws, rules, and |
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policies that are identified as being detrimental to the promotion |
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of lasting marriages, family formation, and child rearing; and |
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(B) policies, programs, and strategies to: |
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(i) support and increase the formation of |
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strong, lasting marriages and healthy family connections; and |
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(ii) reduce the incidence of divorce and |
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family dissolution. |
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SECTION 8. APPOINTMENT. Not later than the 60th day after |
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the effective date of this Act, the appropriate appointing |
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authority shall appoint the members of the commission as required |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 9. REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2026, the |
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commission shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, |
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the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the |
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legislature a written report that includes a summary of the |
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commission's findings and any legislative recommendations. |
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SECTION 10. EXPIRATION. The commission is abolished and |
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this Act expires December 31, 2026. |
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SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |