86R11374 MM-D By: Murr H.B. No. 4495 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the transfer of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 155.202(a), Family Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) If the basis of a motion to transfer a proceeding under this subchapter is that the child resides in another county, the court may deny the motion if it is shown that the child has resided in that county for less than six months at the time the proceeding is commenced unless the motion is filed pursuant to Section 262.203(a-1). SECTION 2. Section 262.203, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) On the court's own motion, the court in which a suit under this chapter is filed may, in accordance with procedures provided by Chapter 155, transfer the suit to a county where the child has been placed by the department if the court finds that the transfer is necessary for the convenience of the parties and in the best interest of the child. SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.