82R2878 EES-D By: Dutton H.B. No. 487 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, 2011.