H.B. No. 3009

	AN ACT
	relating to child custody evaluations.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 107.103, Family Code, is amended by
	adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:
	(e)  In appointing a child custody evaluator in a suit in
	which a party subject to the child custody evaluation does not speak
	English as a primary language, the court shall ensure that the child
	custody evaluator:
	(1)  is able to effectively communicate in the primary
	language of the party; or
	(2)  will be assisted by a licensed or certified
	interpreter.
	(f)  A licensed or certified interpreter assisting a child
	custody evaluator under Subsection (e)(2) may accompany the
	evaluator in person or assist through use of audio or video
	conferencing technology.
	(g)  The court may require the parties to pay any costs
	associated with obtaining assistance for a child custody evaluator
	from a licensed or certified interpreter.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to a child custody evaluation conducted on or after the effective
	date of this Act, regardless of whether the suit affecting the
	parent-child relationship was filed before, on, or after that date.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3009 was passed by the House on May 8,
	2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 116, Nays 23, 2 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3009 was passed by the Senate on May
	27, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor