H.B. No. 3537
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the adoption of a child by a person serving in the
  military.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 162.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 162.0025.  ADOPTION SOUGHT BY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER.
  In a suit for adoption, the fact that a petitioner is a member of the
  armed forces of the United States, a member of the Texas National
  Guard or the National Guard of another state, or a member of a
  reserve component of the armed forces of the United States may not
  be considered by the court, or any person performing a social study
  or home screening, as a negative factor in determining whether the
  adoption is in the best interest of the child or whether the
  petitioner would be a suitable parent.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
  petition for adoption pending in a trial court on the effective date
  of this Act or filed on or after that date.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3537 was passed by the House on May 8,
  2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3537 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor