TITLE: Relating to the time in which to request a de novo hearing following a ruling by an associate judge in certain family or juvenile law cases.

SUMMARY: Relating to the time in which to request a de novo hearing following a ruling by an associate judge in certain family or juvenile law cases.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the time in which to request a de novo hearing following a ruling by an associate judge in certain family or juvenile law cases. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 201.015(a) and (e), Family Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) A party may request a de novo hearing before the referring court by filing with the clerk of the referring court a written request not later than the third [seventh] working day after the date the party receives notice of the substance of the associate judge's report as provided by Section 201.011. (e) If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring court is filed by a party, any other party may file a request for a de novo hearing before the referring court not later than the third [seventh] working day after the date the initial request was filed. SECTION 2. Section 201.1042(b), Family Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The party requesting a de novo hearing before the referring court shall file notice with the clerk of the referring court not later than the third [seventh] working day after the date the associate judge signs the proposed order or judgment. SECTION 3. Sections 201.317(a) and (d), Family Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) A party may request a de novo hearing before the referring court by filing with the clerk of the referring court a written request not later than the third [seventh] working day after the date the party receives notice of the substance of the associate judge's report as provided by Section 201.313. (d) If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring court is filed by a party, any other party may file a request for a de novo hearing before the referring court not later than the third [seventh] working day after the date the initial request was filed. SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a request for a de novo hearing in a case referred to an associate judge under Chapter 201, Family Code, on or after the effective date of this Act. A request for a de novo hearing in a case referred to an associate judge before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the case was referred, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.