84R7582 MCK-F
By: Burton S.B. No. 712
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to standing for certain individuals to file a suit
affecting the parent-child relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 102.006(c), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) The limitations on filing suit imposed by this section
do not apply to a person related to the child within the third
degree by consanguinity as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter
573, Government Code, who otherwise has standing under this chapter
to file suit [an adult sibling of the child, a grandparent of the
child, an aunt who is a sister of a parent of the child, or an uncle
who is a brother of a parent of the child] if the person:
(1) [adult sibling, grandparent, aunt, or uncle] files
an original suit or a suit for modification requesting managing
conservatorship or adoption of the child not later than the 30th
[90th] day after the date the parent-child relationship between the
child and the parent is terminated in a suit filed by the Department
of Family and Protective Services requesting the termination of the
parent-child relationship; and
(2) demonstrates that the person's failure to become
involved in the suit filed by the Department of Family and
Protective Services was not due to the person's indifference or
lack of diligence.
SECTION 2. 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, 2015.