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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to selection of an attorney by an indigent parent for |
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appointment as attorney ad litem for the parent in certain suits |
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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 107.013, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows: |
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(f) A parent who the court has determined is indigent for |
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the purposes of this section may select an attorney who is licensed |
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to practice law in this state and is in good standing with the State |
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Bar of Texas to represent the parent in a suit described by |
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Subsection (a). If the court determines the attorney selected by |
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the parent is otherwise qualified for appointment as attorney ad |
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litem under Section 107.0131, the court shall: |
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(1) appoint the attorney selected by the parent as |
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attorney ad litem for the parent under this section; and |
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(2) terminate the appointment of any previously |
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appointed attorney ad litem for the parent on the filing of a notice |
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of appearance by the attorney selected by the parent. |
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(g) An attorney selected by a parent and appointed as |
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attorney ad litem for the parent under Subsection (f): |
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(1) is subject to all provisions of this chapter and |
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Subtitle E applicable to an attorney ad litem for a parent, |
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including provisions related to attorney discipline; and |
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(2) is entitled to the compensation provided by |
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Section 107.015. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is filed on |
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or after the effective date of this Act. A suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship filed before the effective date of this |
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Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the suit was filed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |