81R619 KSD-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 317
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the appointment of a parenting coordinator in a suit
affecting the parent-child relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 153.609(d), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) If due to hardship the parties are unable to pay the fees
of a parenting coordinator, and a domestic relations office or a
comparable county agency [public employee] is not available under
Subsection (c), the court, if feasible, may appoint a person who
meets the minimum qualifications prescribed by Section 153.610,
including an employee of the court, to act as a parenting
coordinator on a volunteer basis and without compensation.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is pending in a
trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is filed on or
after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.