81R2917 MCK-D By: Dutton H.B. No. 974 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to requiring the court to confer with a child before a protective order hearing. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 84.006 to read as follows: Sec. 84.006. CONFERRING WITH CHILD. If a party in a proceeding under this title files a motion requesting the court to confer with a child 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 made, the court shall confer with the child in chambers before the hearing on the application for a protective order. SECTION 2. Section 84.006, 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.