87R8686 MLH-F
By: Hughes S.B. No. 1936
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the beginning and ending possession times in certain
standard possession orders in a suit affecting the parent-child
relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 153, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 153.3171 to read as follows:
Sec. 153.3171. BEGINNING AND ENDING POSSESSION TIMES FOR
PARENTS WHO RESIDE 50 MILES OR LESS APART. (a) Except as provided
by Subsection (b), if the possessory conservator resides not more
than 50 miles from the primary residence of the child, the court
shall alter the standard possession order under Sections 153.312,
153.314, and 153.315 to provide that the conservator has the right
to possession of the child as if the conservator had made the
elections for alternative beginning and ending possession times
under Sections 153.317(a)(1)(C), (2)(C), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7)(C), and (8).
(b) A possessory conservator may decline any of the
alternative beginning and ending possession times under Subsection
(a) in a written document filed with the court or through an oral
statement made in open court on the record.
SECTION 2. The enactment of this Act does not constitute a
material and substantial change of circumstances sufficient to
warrant modification of a court order or portion of a decree that
provides for the possession of or access to a child rendered before
the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is pending in a
trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is filed on or
after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.