85R4230 MM-F
By: Krause H.B. No. 1132
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to procedures for presenting certain evidence at placement
review hearings in suits affecting the parent-child relationship
involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 263.0021, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
(e) Notice of a hearing under this chapter provided to an
individual listed under Subsection (b)(2) must state that the
individual may, but is not required to, present evidence and be
heard at the hearing.
(f) In a hearing under this chapter, the court shall call an
individual listed under Subsection (b)(2) and the individual, at
the individual's discretion, may appear at the hearing and present
evidence and be heard regardless of whether either party calls the
individual to testify. If the individual testifies at the hearing,
the individual may be cross-examined by either party.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply 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 the effective date of this Act 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.