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AN ACT
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relating to the use of digitized signatures in certain family law |
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proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1, Family Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 1.109 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1.109. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an original petition under this title or any other |
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pleading or order in a proceeding under this title satisfies the |
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requirements for and imposes the duties of signatories to |
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pleadings, motions, and other papers identified under Rule 13, |
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Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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SECTION 2. Title 2, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subtitle E to read as follows: |
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SUBTITLE E. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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CHAPTER 47. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 47.001. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an original petition or application under this title |
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or any other pleading or order in a proceeding under this title |
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satisfies the requirements for and imposes the duties of |
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signatories to pleadings, motions, and other papers identified |
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under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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(c) In this section, "digitized signature" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 101.0096. |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 81, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 81.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 81.011. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an application for a protective order under this title |
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or any other pleading or order in a proceeding under this title |
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satisfies the requirements for and imposes the duties of |
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signatories to pleadings, motions, and other papers identified |
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under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a proceeding that is commenced on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. A proceeding that is commenced before that date is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding was |
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commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 813 passed the Senate on |
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May 8, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 813 passed the House on |
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May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |