81R2918 MCK-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 973
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to testimony by certain children at a hearing on an
application for a protective order.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Family Code, is amended by adding
Section 84.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 84.007. TESTIMONY BY CHILD. A child who is at least
eight years of age and who is a member of the family or household for
which protection is sought or on whose behalf the application for a
protective order is filed may testify at a hearing on the
application for a protective order.
SECTION 2. Section 84.007, Family Code, as added by this
Act, applies to a hearing on an application for a protective order
held on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of the
date the application is filed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.