| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | By: Bernal H.B. No. 701 | |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | ||
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 6 | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED | |
| 7 | 7 | AN ACT | |
| 8 | 8 | relating to the appointment of an attorney ad litem or an amicus | |
| 9 | 9 | attorney in certain cases of divorce. | |
| 10 | 10 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | |
| 11 | 11 | SECTION 1. Section 153, Family Code, is amended by adding | |
| 12 | 12 | Section 153.259 to read as follows: | |
| 13 | 13 | Section 153.259. MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM | |
| 14 | 14 | OR AMICUS ATTORNEY IN CASES OF DIVORCE. The court shall, for a | |
| 15 | 15 | child under 12 years of age and in divorce cases which the | |
| 16 | 16 | possession of a child by a parent is contested and the possession of | |
| 17 | 17 | the child varies from the standard possession order, appoint an | |
| 18 | 18 | attorney ad litem or amicus attorney for the purpose of assisting | |
| 19 | 19 | the court in determining the best interest of the child. | |
| 20 | 20 | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | |
| 21 | 21 | a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | |
| 22 | 22 | provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | |
| 23 | 23 | Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | |
| 24 | 24 | Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |