By: Bonnen of Galveston, Miles, Sheets	H.B. No. 1781
	(Senate Sponsor - Taylor of Galveston)
	(In the Senate - Received from the House April 20, 2015;
	May 4, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on State
	Affairs; May 21, 2015, reported favorably by the following vote:
	Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 21, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote

	COMMITTEE VOTE
	YeaNayAbsentPNV
	HuffmanX
	EllisX
	BirdwellX
	CreightonX
	EstesX
	FraserX
	NelsonX
	SchwertnerX
	ZaffiriniX
	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to access by a sibling of a child separated from the
	sibling due to an action by the Department of Family and Protective
	Services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 102.0045, Family Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
	(a-1)  The sibling of a child who is separated from the
	sibling as the result of an action by the Department of Family and
	Protective Services may file an original suit as provided by
	Section 153.551 requesting access to the child, regardless of the
	age of the sibling. A court shall expedite a suit filed under this
	subsection.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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