TITLE: Relating to procedures for presenting certain evidence at placement review hearings in suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

SUMMARY: Relating to procedures for presenting certain evidence at placement review hearings in suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to procedures for presenting certain evidence at placement review hearings in suits 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 263.0021, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: (e) Notice of a hearing under this chapter provided to an individual listed under Subsection (b)(2) must state that the individual may, but is not required to, present evidence and be heard at the hearing. (f) In a hearing under this chapter, the court shall call an individual listed under Subsection (b)(2) and the individual, at the individual's discretion, may appear at the hearing and present evidence and be heard regardless of whether either party calls the individual to testify. If the individual testifies at the hearing, the individual may be cross-examined by either party. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.