S.B. No. 999
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to procedures for taking possession of a child and for
  certain hearings in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship
  involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 155.201, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  On receiving notice that a court exercising
  jurisdiction under Chapter 262 has ordered the transfer of a suit
  under Section 262.203(a)(2), the court of continuing, exclusive
  jurisdiction shall, in accordance with the requirements of Section
  155.204(i), transfer the proceedings to the court in which the suit
  under Chapter 262 is pending within the time required by Section
  155.207(a).
         SECTION 2.  Section 155.204(i), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (i)  If a transfer order has been signed by a court
  exercising jurisdiction under Chapter 262, the Department of Family
  and Protective Services shall [a party may] file the transfer order
  with the clerk of the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.  
  On receipt and without a hearing or further order from the court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, the clerk of the court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction shall transfer the files as
  provided by this subchapter within the time required by Section
  155.207(a).
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 262, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 262.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 262.013.  FILING REQUIREMENT FOR PETITION REGARDING
  MORE THAN ONE CHILD. Each suit under this chapter based on
  allegations of abuse or neglect arising from the same incident or
  occurrence and involving children that live in the same home must be
  filed in the same court.
         SECTION 4.  Section 262.101, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 262.101.  FILING PETITION BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION OF
  CHILD. An original suit filed by a governmental entity that
  requests permission to take possession of a child without prior
  notice and a hearing must be supported by an affidavit sworn to by a
  person with personal knowledge and stating facts sufficient to
  satisfy a person of ordinary prudence and caution that:
               (1)  there is an immediate danger to the physical
  health or safety of the child or the child has been a victim of
  neglect or sexual abuse;
               (2)  [and that] continuation in the home would be
  contrary to the child's welfare;
               (3) [(2)]  there is no time, consistent with the
  physical health or safety of the child, for a full adversary hearing
  under Subchapter C; and
               (4) [(3)]  reasonable efforts, consistent with the
  circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were made
  to prevent or eliminate the need for the removal of the child.
         SECTION 5.  Section 262.1015(d), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d)  A temporary restraining order under this section
  expires not later than the 14th day after the date the order was
  rendered, unless the court grants an extension under Section
  262.201(e) [262.201(a-3)].
         SECTION 6.  Section 262.102(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Before a court may, without prior notice and a hearing,
  issue a temporary order for the conservatorship of a child under
  Section 105.001(a)(1) or a temporary restraining order or
  attachment of a child authorizing a governmental entity to take
  possession of a child in a suit brought by a governmental entity,
  the court must find that:
               (1)  there is an immediate danger to the physical
  health or safety of the child or the child has been a victim of
  neglect or sexual abuse;
               (2)  [and that] continuation in the home would be
  contrary to the child's welfare;
               (3) [(2)]  there is no time, consistent with the
  physical health or safety of the child and the nature of the
  emergency, for a full adversary hearing under Subchapter C; and
               (4) [(3)]  reasonable efforts, consistent with the
  circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were made
  to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child.
         SECTION 7.  Section 262.103, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 262.103.  DURATION OF TEMPORARY ORDER, TEMPORARY
  RESTRAINING ORDER, AND ATTACHMENT. A temporary order, temporary
  restraining order, or attachment of the child issued under Section
  262.102(a) expires not later than 14 days after the date it is
  issued unless it is extended as provided by the Texas Rules of Civil
  Procedure or Section 262.201(e) [262.201(a-3)].
         SECTION 8.  Section 262.105, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 262.105.  FILING PETITION AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF
  CHILD IN EMERGENCY. (a)  When a child is taken into possession
  without a court order, the person taking the child into possession,
  without unnecessary delay, shall:
               (1)  file a suit affecting the parent-child
  relationship;
               (2)  request the court to appoint an attorney ad litem
  for the child; and
               (3)  request an initial hearing to be held by no later
  than the first business [working] day after the date the child is
  taken into possession.
         (b)  An original suit filed by a governmental entity after
  taking possession of a child under Section 262.104 must be
  supported by an affidavit stating facts sufficient to satisfy a
  person of ordinary prudence and caution that:
               (1)  based on the affiant's personal knowledge or on
  information furnished by another person corroborated by the
  affiant's personal knowledge, one of the following circumstances
  existed at the time the child was taken into possession:
                     (A)  there was an immediate danger to the physical
  health or safety of the child;
                     (B)  the child was the victim of sexual abuse or of
  trafficking under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03, Penal Code;
                     (C)  the parent or person who had possession of
  the child was using a controlled substance as defined by Chapter
  481, Health and Safety Code, and the use constituted an immediate
  danger to the physical health or safety of the child; or
                     (D)  the parent or person who had possession of
  the child permitted the child to remain on premises used for the
  manufacture of methamphetamine; and
               (2)  based on the affiant's personal knowledge:
                     (A)  continuation of the child in the home would
  have been contrary to the child's welfare;
                     (B)  there was no time, consistent with the
  physical health or safety of the child, for a full adversary hearing
  under Subchapter C; and
                     (C)  reasonable efforts, consistent with the
  circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were made
  to prevent or eliminate the need for the removal of the child.
         SECTION 9.  Sections 262.106(a) and (d), Family Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The court in which a suit has been filed after a child
  has been taken into possession without a court order by a
  governmental entity shall hold an initial hearing on or before the
  first business [working] day after the date the child is taken into
  possession. The court shall render orders that are necessary to
  protect the physical health and safety of the child. If the court
  is unavailable for a hearing on the first business [working] day,
  then, and only in that event, the hearing shall be held no later
  than the first business [working] day after the court becomes
  available, provided that the hearing is held no later than the third
  business [working] day after the child is taken into possession.
         (d)  For the purpose of determining under Subsection (a) the
  first business [working] day after the date the child is taken into
  possession, the child is considered to have been taken into
  possession by the Department of Family and Protective Services on
  the expiration of the five-day period permitted under Section
  262.007(c) or 262.110(b), as appropriate.
         SECTION 10.  Section 262.107(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The court shall order the return of the child at the
  initial hearing regarding a child taken in possession without a
  court order by a governmental entity unless the court is satisfied
  that:
               (1)  the evidence shows that one of the following
  circumstances exists:
                     (A)  there is a continuing danger to the physical
  health or safety of the child if the child is returned to the
  parent, managing conservator, possessory conservator, guardian,
  caretaker, or custodian who is presently entitled to possession of
  the child;
                     (B)  [or the evidence shows that] the child has
  been the victim of sexual abuse or of trafficking under Section
  20A.02 or 20A.03, Penal Code, on one or more occasions and that
  there is a substantial risk that the child will be the victim of
  sexual abuse or of trafficking in the future;
                     (C)  the parent or person who has possession of
  the child is currently using a controlled substance as defined by
  Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, and the use constitutes an
  immediate danger to the physical health or safety of the child; or
                     (D)  the parent or person who has possession of
  the child has permitted the child to remain on premises used for the
  manufacture of methamphetamine;
               (2)  continuation of the child in the home would be
  contrary to the child's welfare; and
               (3)  reasonable efforts, consistent with the
  circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were made
  to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child.
         SECTION 11.  Section 262.109(b), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The written notice must be given as soon as practicable,
  but in any event not later than the first business [working] day
  after the date the child is taken into possession.
         SECTION 12.  Subchapter B, Chapter 262, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 262.1131 to read as follows:
         Sec. 262.1131.  TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER BEFORE FULL
  ADVERSARY HEARING. In a suit filed under Section 262.113, the court
  may render a temporary restraining order as provided by Section
  105.001.
         SECTION 13.  Section 262.201, Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 262.201.  FULL ADVERSARY HEARING; FINDINGS OF THE
  COURT. (a)  In a suit filed under Section 262.101 or 262.105,
  unless [Unless] the child has already been returned to the parent,
  managing conservator, possessory conservator, guardian, caretaker,
  or custodian entitled to possession and the temporary order, if
  any, has been dissolved, a full adversary hearing shall be held not
  later than the 14th day after the date the child was taken into
  possession by the governmental entity, unless the court grants an
  extension under Subsection (e) or (e-1) [(a-3)].
         (b)  A full adversary hearing in a suit filed under Section
  262.113 requesting possession of a child shall be held not later
  than the 30th day after the date the suit is filed.
         (c) [(a-1)]  Before commencement of the full adversary
  hearing, the court must inform each parent not represented by an
  attorney of:
               (1)  the right to be represented by an attorney; and
               (2)  if a parent is indigent and appears in opposition
  to the suit, the right to a court-appointed attorney.
         (d) [(a-2)]  If a parent claims indigence and requests the
  appointment of an attorney before the full adversary hearing, the
  court shall require the parent to complete and file with the court
  an affidavit of indigence. The court may consider additional
  evidence to determine whether the parent is indigent, including
  evidence relating to the parent's income, source of income, assets,
  property ownership, benefits paid in accordance with a federal,
  state, or local public assistance program, outstanding
  obligations, and necessary expenses and the number and ages of the
  parent's dependents. If the appointment of an attorney for the
  parent is requested, the court shall make a determination of
  indigence before commencement of the full adversary hearing. If
  the court determines the parent is indigent, the court shall
  appoint an attorney to represent the parent.
         (e) [(a-3)]  The court may, for good cause shown, postpone
  the full adversary hearing for not more than seven days from the
  date of the attorney's appointment to provide the attorney time to
  respond to the petition and prepare for the hearing. The court may
  shorten or lengthen the extension granted under this subsection if
  the parent and the appointed attorney agree in writing. If the
  court postpones the full adversary hearing, the court shall extend
  a temporary order, temporary restraining order, or attachment
  issued by the court under Section 262.102(a) or Section 262.1131 
  for the protection of the child until the date of the rescheduled
  full adversary hearing.
         (e-1)  If a parent who is not indigent appears in opposition
  to the suit, the court may, for good cause shown, postpone the full
  adversary hearing for not more than seven days from the date of the
  parent's appearance to allow the parent to hire an attorney or to
  provide the parent's attorney time to respond to the petition and
  prepare for the hearing.  A postponement under this subsection is
  subject to the limits and requirements prescribed by Subsection
  (e).
         (f) [(a-4)]  The court shall ask all parties present at the
  full adversary hearing whether the child or the child's family has a
  Native American heritage and identify any Native American tribe
  with which the child may be associated.
         (g)  In a suit filed under Section 262.101 or 262.105, at
  [(b)  At] the conclusion of the full adversary hearing, the court
  shall order the return of the child to the parent, managing
  conservator, possessory conservator, guardian, caretaker, or
  custodian entitled to possession unless the court finds sufficient
  evidence to satisfy a person of ordinary prudence and caution that:
               (1)  there was a danger to the physical health or safety
  of the child, including a danger that the child would be a victim of
  trafficking under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03, Penal Code, which was
  caused by an act or failure to act of the person entitled to
  possession and for the child to remain in the home is contrary to
  the welfare of the child;
               (2)  the urgent need for protection required the
  immediate removal of the child and reasonable efforts, consistent
  with the circumstances and providing for the safety of the child,
  were made to eliminate or prevent the child's removal; and
               (3)  reasonable efforts have been made to enable the
  child to return home, but there is a substantial risk of a
  continuing danger if the child is returned home.
         (h)  In a suit filed under Section 262.101 or 262.105, if
  [(c)  If] the court finds sufficient evidence to satisfy a person
  of ordinary prudence and caution that there is a continuing danger
  to the physical health or safety of the child and for the child to
  remain in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child, the
  court shall issue an appropriate temporary order under Chapter 105.
         (i)  In determining whether there is a continuing danger to
  the physical health or safety of the child under Subsection (g), the
  court may consider whether the household to which the child would be
  returned includes a person who:
               (1)  has abused or neglected another child in a manner
  that caused serious injury to or the death of the other child; or
               (2)  has sexually abused another child.
         (j)  In a suit filed under Section 262.113, at the conclusion
  of the full adversary hearing, the court shall issue an appropriate
  temporary order under Chapter 105 if the court finds sufficient
  evidence to satisfy a person of ordinary prudence and caution that:
               (1)  there is a continuing danger to the physical
  health or safety of the child caused by an act or failure to act of
  the person entitled to possession of the child and continuation of
  the child in the home would be contrary to the child's welfare; and
               (2)  reasonable efforts, consistent with the
  circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were made
  to prevent or eliminate the need for the removal of the child.
         (k)  If the court finds that the child requires protection
  from family violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.004, by
  a member of the child's family or household, the court shall render
  a protective order for the child under Title 4.
         (l)  The court shall require each parent, alleged father, or
  relative of the child before the court to complete the proposed
  child placement resources form provided under Section 261.307 and
  file the form with the court, if the form has not been previously
  filed with the court, and provide the Department of Family and
  Protective Services with information necessary to locate any other
  absent parent, alleged father, or relative of the child. The court
  shall inform each parent, alleged father, or relative of the child
  before the court that the person's failure to submit the proposed
  child placement resources form will not delay any court proceedings
  relating to the child.
         (m)  The court shall inform each parent in open court that
  parental and custodial rights and duties may be subject to
  restriction or to termination unless the parent or parents are
  willing and able to provide the child with a safe environment. [If
  the court finds that the child requires protection from family
  violence by a member of the child's family or household, the court
  shall render a protective order under Title 4 for the child.   In
  this subsection, "family violence" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 71.004.
         [(d)     In determining whether there is a continuing danger to
  the physical health or safety of the child, the court may consider
  whether the household to which the child would be returned includes
  a person who:
               [(1)     has abused or neglected another child in a manner
  that caused serious injury to or the death of the other child; or
               [(2)  has sexually abused another child.]
         (n) [(e)]  The court shall place a child removed from the
  child's custodial parent with the child's noncustodial parent or
  with a relative of the child if placement with the noncustodial
  parent is inappropriate, unless placement with the noncustodial
  parent or a relative is not in the best interest of the child.
         (o) [(f)]  When citation by publication is needed for a
  parent or alleged or probable father in an action brought under this
  chapter because the location of the parent, alleged father, or
  probable father is unknown, the court may render a temporary order
  without delay at any time after the filing of the action without
  regard to whether notice of the citation by publication has been
  published.
         (p) [(g)]  For the purpose of determining under Subsection
  (a) the 14th day after the date the child is taken into possession,
  a child is considered to have been taken into possession by the
  Department of Family and Protective Services on the expiration of
  the five-day period permitted under Section 262.007(c) or
  262.110(b), as appropriate.
         SECTION 14.  Section 262.203(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  On the motion of a party or the court's own motion, if
  applicable, the court that rendered the temporary order shall in
  accordance with procedures provided by Chapter 155:
               (1)  transfer the suit to the court of continuing,
  exclusive jurisdiction, if any, within the time required by Section
  155.207(a), if the court finds that the transfer is:
                     (A)  necessary for the convenience of the parties;
  and
                     (B)  in the best interest of the child;
               (2)  [if grounds exist for mandatory transfer from the
  court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under Section
  155.201,] order transfer of the suit from the [that] court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or
               (3)  if grounds exist for transfer based on improper
  venue, order transfer of the suit to the court having venue of the
  suit under Chapter 103.
         SECTION 15.  Section 262.205, Family Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 16.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only
  to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is filed on
  or after the effective date of this Act.  A suit filed before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the suit is filed, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 17.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 999 passed the Senate on
  May 1, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  May 25, 2017, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 26, 2017, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2017, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 30,
  Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 999 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 18, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 146,
  Nays 0, two present not voting; May 26, 2017, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 28, 2017, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor