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AN ACT
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relating to the time by which certain persons found to have engaged |
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in family violence must complete court-ordered counseling. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 85.024(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A person found to have engaged in family violence who is |
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ordered to attend a program or counseling under Section |
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85.022(a)(1) or (2) shall file with the court an affidavit before |
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the 60th day after the date the order was rendered stating either |
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that the person has begun the program or counseling or that a |
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program or counseling is not available within a reasonable distance |
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from the person's residence. A person who files an affidavit that |
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the person has begun the program or counseling shall file with the |
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court before the date the protective order expires a statement that |
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the person completed the program or counseling not later than the |
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30th day before the expiration date of the protective order or the |
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30th day before the first anniversary of the date the protective |
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order was issued, whichever date is earlier. An affidavit under |
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this subsection must be accompanied by a letter, notice, or |
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certificate from the program or counselor that verifies the |
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person's completion of the program or counseling. A person who |
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fails to comply with this subsection may be punished for contempt of |
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court under Section 21.002, Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a protective order rendered under Title 4, Family Code, on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. A protective order rendered |
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before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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order was rendered, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3593 was passed by the House on May 8, |
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2007, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3593 was passed by the Senate on May |
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23, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |