86R6081 JSC-D
By: Kuempel H.B. No. 3065
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to adoption by a stepparent.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 162.0027 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.0027. ADOPTION BY STEPPARENT. (a) In a suit for
adoption, a court or person performing an adoption evaluation may
not grant preference to a relative of the child over a stepparent of
the child solely on the basis of consanguinity.
(b) If a parent of the child dies, leaving the child with no
living parent whose parental rights have not been terminated, the
court may grant a stepparent's petition for adoption on an
expedited basis, provided that all requirements of this chapter are
fulfilled. The child may reside with the stepparent while the
adoption petition is pending, unless the court finds that would not
be in the best interest of the child.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
petition for adoption filed on or after the effective date of this
Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.