Relating to notice regarding summer weekend possession of a child under a standard possession order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
The legislation affects all court orders concerning child custody that are rendered on or after the bill's effective date, which is September 1, 2019. Prior court orders remain governed by the laws that were in effect at the time of their issuance. By requiring advance communication about logistics, the bill seeks to enhance cooperation and reduce potential conflicts between parents during their specified possession time with the child.
House Bill 553 amends the Texas Family Code to provide specific notice requirements regarding a child's summer weekend possession under a standard possession order. The bill mandates that the possessory conservator must notify the managing conservator in writing about the location for child pickup and return, no later than 15 days before the designated summer weekend possession. This change aims to ensure clarity and communication between parents in custody arrangements, promoting smoother transitions during shared child custody times.
Overall, the sentiment regarding HB 553 appears to be positive, as it aims to address common issues surrounding child custody arrangements that can arise during summer weekends. The bill was passed unanimously in both the House and Senate, indicating strong bipartisan support for the measure. Lawmakers generally view the bill as a way to facilitate better communication and lessen misunderstandings that can occur in custody situations.
While there might not be significant outright contention regarding the bill itself, discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining clear and timely communication between parents, especially in cases where conflicts may arise. The implementation of these notice requirements could potentially lead to disputes if one party fails to comply with the notification timeline, leading to ongoing discussions in the legal community about the enforcement of such provisions in future custody cases.