87R10488 EAS-D
By: Campos H.B. No. 2454
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to mandatory family violence training for attorneys ad
litem and guardians ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the
parent-child relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 107, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 107.0041 to read as follows:
Sec. 107.0041. MANDATORY FAMILY VIOLENCE TRAINING. (a) As
soon as practicable after appointment, a guardian ad litem or
attorney ad litem appointed for a child in a suit affecting the
parent-child relationship shall complete at least three hours of
family violence training approved by the Department of Family and
Protective Services.
(b) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall
collaborate with a statewide family violence advocacy organization
to develop the training required under Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Section 107.0045, Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 107.0045. DISCIPLINE OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM. An
attorney ad litem who fails to perform the duties required by
Sections 107.003, [and] 107.004, and 107.0041 is subject to
disciplinary action under Subchapter E, Chapter 81, Government
Code.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
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 that date is governed by the law in effect
on the date the suit was filed, and that law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.