By: West S.B. No. 1422
(King of Hemphill)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of digitized signatures for pleadings and
orders in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 101, Family Code, is amended by adding
Section 101.0096 to read as follows:
Sec. 101.0096. DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. "Digitized signature"
means a graphic image of a handwritten signature having the same
legal force and effect for all purposes as a handwritten signature.
SECTION 2. Chapter 102, Family Code, is amended by adding
Section 102.014 to read as follows:
Sec. 102.014. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized
signature on an original petition under this chapter or any other
pleading or order in a suit satisfies the requirements for and
imposes the duties of signatories to pleadings, motions, and other
papers identified under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied
only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose
signature is represented.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapters
101 and 102, Family Code, apply only to a suit affecting the
parent-child relationship filed on or after the effective date of
this Act. A suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed
before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the
suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.