H.B. No. 3593
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the time by which certain persons found to have engaged
  in family violence must complete court-ordered counseling.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 85.024(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A person found to have engaged in family violence who is
  ordered to attend a program or counseling under Section
  85.022(a)(1) or (2) shall file with the court an affidavit before
  the 60th day after the date the order was rendered stating either
  that the person has begun the program or counseling or that a
  program or counseling is not available within a reasonable distance
  from the person's residence. A person who files an affidavit that
  the person has begun the program or counseling shall file with the
  court before the date the protective order expires a statement that
  the person completed the program or counseling not later than the
  30th day before the expiration date of the protective order or the
  30th day before the first anniversary of the date the protective
  order was issued, whichever date is earlier. An affidavit under
  this subsection must be accompanied by a letter, notice, or
  certificate from the program or counselor that verifies the
  person's completion of the program or counseling. A person who
  fails to comply with this subsection may be punished for contempt of
  court under Section 21.002, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a protective order rendered under Title 4, Family Code, on or
  after the effective date of this Act. A protective order rendered
  before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the
  order was rendered, and the former law is continued in effect for
  that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3593 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. 3593 was passed by the Senate on May
  23, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor