reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Fam Code § 161.304 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 161 - Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship|Subchapter D. Reinstatement of Parental Rights After Involuntary Termination|Section 161.304. Orders

Sec. 161.304.  ORDERS.  (a)  Following a hearing under this subchapter, the court may render an order:(1)  granting the petition;(2)  denying the petition; or(3)  deferring the decision on the petition and rendering a temporary order expiring after a period of six months during which the department remains the managing conservator of the child and the former parent is the possessory conservator.(b)  If the court defers granting the petition under Subsection (a)(3):(1)  the department shall monitor the possessory conservatorship of the former parent during the period of the temporary order; and(2)  when the temporary order expires, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether to grant or deny the petition for reinstatement.(c)  If, following a hearing under this subchapter, the court renders an order for reinstatement of parental rights, the court shall enter the court's findings in a written order stating that all legal rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations of the former parent regarding the child, including with respect to custody, care, control, and support, are reinstated.(d)  If, following a hearing under this subchapter, the court denies a petition for reinstatement of parental rights, the court shall render a written order that includes:(1)  the court's findings and detailing reasons for denial of the petition; and(2)  a statement prohibiting the filing of a subsequent petition in regard to the former parent's parental rights before the first anniversary of the date the order of denial was issued.|Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 710 (H.B. 2926), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.|
TX Fam Code § 162.001 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.001. Who May Adopt and Be Adopted

Sec. 162.001.  WHO MAY ADOPT AND BE ADOPTED.  (a)  Subject to the requirements for standing to sue in Chapter 102, an adult may petition to adopt a child who may be adopted.(b)  A child residing in this state may be adopted if:(1)  the parent-child relationship as to each living parent of the child has been terminated or a suit for termination is joined with the suit for adoption;(2)  the parent whose rights have not been terminated is presently the spouse of the petitioner and the proceeding is for a stepparent adoption;(3)  the child is at least two years old, the parent-child relationship has been terminated with respect to one parent, the person seeking the adoption has been a managing conservator or has had actual care, possession, and control of the child for a period of six months preceding the adoption or is the child's former stepparent, and the nonterminated parent consents to the adoption;  or(4)  the child is at least two years old, the parent-child relationship has been terminated with respect to one parent, and the person seeking the adoption is the child's former stepparent and has been a managing conservator or has had actual care, possession, and control of the child for a period of one year preceding the adoption.(c)  If an affidavit of relinquishment of parental rights contains a consent for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a licensed child-placing agency to place the child for adoption and appoints the department or agency managing conservator of the child, further consent by the parent is not required and the adoption order shall terminate all rights of the parent without further termination proceedings.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 493, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.090, eff. April 2, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.002 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.002. Prerequisites to Petition

Sec. 162.002.  PREREQUISITES TO PETITION.  (a)  If a petitioner is married, both spouses must join in the petition for adoption.(b)  A petition in a suit for adoption or a suit for appointment of a nonparent managing conservator with authority to consent to adoption of a child must include:(1)  a verified allegation that there has been compliance with Subchapter B ;  or(2)  if there has not been compliance with Subchapter B, a verified statement of the particular reasons for noncompliance.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.0025 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.0025. Adoption Sought by Military Service Member

Sec. 162.0025.  ADOPTION SOUGHT BY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER.  In a suit for adoption, the fact that a petitioner is a member of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Texas National Guard or the National Guard of another state, or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States may not be considered by the court, or any person performing an adoption evaluation or home screening, as a negative factor in determining whether the adoption is in the best interest of the child or whether the petitioner would be a suitable parent.|Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 768 (H.B. 3537), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1252 (H.B. 1449), Sec. 3.02, eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.003 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.003. Adoption Evaluation

Sec. 162.003.  ADOPTION EVALUATION.  In a suit for adoption, an adoption evaluation must be conducted as provided in Chapter 107.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 73, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 800, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 133, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 832 (H.B. 772), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2007.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1252 (H.B. 1449), Sec. 3.03, eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.0045 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.0045. Preferential Setting

Sec. 162.0045.  PREFERENTIAL SETTING.  The court shall grant a motion for a preferential setting for a final hearing on an adoption and shall give precedence to that hearing over all other civil cases not given preference by other law if the adoption evaluation has been filed and the criminal history for the person seeking to adopt the child has been obtained.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1252 (H.B. 1449), Sec. 3.04, eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.005 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.005. Preparation of Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History Report

Sec. 162.005.  PREPARATION OF HEALTH, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND GENETIC HISTORY REPORT.  (a)  This section does not apply to an adoption by the child's:(1)  grandparent;(2)  aunt or uncle by birth, marriage, or prior adoption;  or(3)  stepparent.(b)  Before placing a child for adoption, the Department of Family and Protective Services, a licensed child-placing agency, or the child's parent or guardian shall compile a report on the available health, social, educational, and genetic history of the child to be adopted.(c)  The department shall ensure that each licensed child-placing agency, single source continuum contractor, or other person placing a child for adoption receives a copy of any portion of the report prepared by the department.(d)  If the child has been placed for adoption by a person or entity other than the department, a licensed child-placing agency, or the child's parent or guardian, it is the duty of the person or entity who places the child for adoption to prepare the report.(e)  The person or entity who places the child for adoption shall provide the prospective adoptive parents a copy of the report as early as practicable before the first meeting of the adoptive parents with the child.  The copy of the report shall be edited to protect the identity of birth parents and their families.(f)  The department, licensed child-placing agency, parent, guardian, person, or entity who prepares and files the original report is required to furnish supplemental medical, psychological, and psychiatric information to the adoptive parents if that information becomes available and to file the supplemental information where the original report is filed.  The supplemental information shall be retained for as long as the original report is required to be retained.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.091, eff. April 2, 2015.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2015.Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 319 (S.B. 11), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017.|
TX Fam Code § 162.006 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.006. Access to Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History Report; Retention

Sec. 162.006.  ACCESS TO HEALTH, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND GENETIC HISTORY REPORT; RETENTION.(a)  Redesignated by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944, Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2015.(b)  The department, licensed child-placing agency, or court retaining a copy of the report shall provide a copy of the report that has been edited to protect the identity of the birth parents and any other person whose identity is confidential to the following persons on request:(1)  an adoptive parent of the adopted child;(2)  the managing conservator, guardian of the person, or legal custodian of the adopted child;(3)  the adopted child, after the child is an adult;(4)  the surviving spouse of the adopted child if the adopted child is dead and the spouse is the parent or guardian of a child of the deceased adopted child;  or(5)  a progeny of the adopted child if the adopted child is dead and the progeny is an adult.(c)  A copy of the report may not be furnished to a person who cannot furnish satisfactory proof of identity and legal entitlement to receive a copy.(d)  A person requesting a copy of the report shall pay the actual and reasonable costs of providing a copy and verifying entitlement to the copy.(e)  The report shall be retained for 99 years from the date of the adoption by the department or licensed child-placing agency placing the child for adoption.  If the agency ceases to function as a child-placing agency, the agency shall transfer all the reports to the department or, after giving notice to the department, to a transferee agency that is assuming responsibility for the preservation of the agency's adoption records.  If the child has not been placed for adoption by the department or a licensed child-placing agency and if the child is being adopted by a person other than the child's stepparent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle by birth, marriage, or prior adoption, the person or entity who places the child for adoption shall file the report with the department, which shall retain the copies for 99 years from the date of the adoption.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1069 (H.B. 3259), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2015.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 15(a), eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.0065 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.0065. Editing Adoption Records in Department Placement

Sec. 162.0065.  EDITING ADOPTION RECORDS IN DEPARTMENT PLACEMENT.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in an adoption in which a child is placed for adoption by the Department of Family and Protective Services, the department is not required to edit records to protect the identity of birth parents and other persons whose identity is confidential if the department determines that information is already known to the adoptive parents or is readily available through other sources, including the court records of a suit to terminate the parent-child relationship under Chapter 161.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 68, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.093, eff. April 2, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.008 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.008. Filing of Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History Report

Sec. 162.008.  FILING OF HEALTH, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND GENETIC HISTORY REPORT.  (a)  This section does not apply to an adoption by the child's:(1)  grandparent;(2)  aunt or uncle by birth, marriage, or prior adoption;  or(3)  stepparent.(b)  A petition for adoption may not be granted until the following documents have been filed:(1)  a copy of the health, social, educational, and genetic history report signed by the child's adoptive parents; and(2)  if the report is required to be submitted to the Department of Family and Protective Services under Section 162.006(e), a certificate from the department acknowledging receipt of the report.(c)  A court having jurisdiction of a suit affecting the parent-child relationship may by order waive the making and filing of a report under this section if the child's biological parents cannot be located and their absence results in insufficient information being available to compile the report.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1390, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.094, eff. April 2, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.0085 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.0085. Criminal History Report Required

Sec. 162.0085.  CRIMINAL HISTORY REPORT REQUIRED.  (a)  In a suit affecting the parent-child relationship in which an adoption is sought, the court shall order each person seeking to adopt the child to obtain that person's own criminal history record information.  The court shall accept under this section a person's criminal history record information that is provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services or by a licensed child-placing agency that received the information from the department if the information was obtained not more than one year before the date the court ordered the history to be obtained.(b)  A person required to obtain information under Subsection (a) shall obtain the information in the manner provided by Section 411.128, Government Code.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 75, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 908, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.095, eff. April 2, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 162.0086 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.0086. Information Regarding Sibling Access

Sec. 162.0086.  INFORMATION REGARDING SIBLING ACCESS.  (a)  The Department of Family and Protective Services shall provide information to each person seeking to adopt a child placed for adoption by the department regarding the right of a child's sibling to file a suit for access to the child under Sections 102.0045 and 153.551.(b)  The department may provide the information required under Subsection (a) on any form or application provided to prospective adoptive parents.|Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 316 (H.B. 5), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2017.Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 413 (S.B. 948), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.|
TX Fam Code § 162.009 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.009. Residence With Petitioner

Sec. 162.009.  RESIDENCE WITH PETITIONER.  (a)  The court may not grant an adoption until the child has resided with the petitioner for not less than six months.(b)  On request of the petitioner, the court may waive the residence requirement if the waiver is in the best interest of the child.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.010 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.010. Consent Required

Sec. 162.010.  CONSENT REQUIRED.  (a)  Unless the managing conservator is the petitioner, the written consent of a managing conservator to the adoption must be filed.  The court may waive the requirement of consent by the managing conservator if the court finds that the consent is being refused or has been revoked without good cause.  A hearing on the issue of consent shall be conducted by the court without a jury.(b)  If a parent of the child is presently the spouse of the petitioner, that parent must join in the petition for adoption and further consent of that parent is not required.(c)  A child 12 years of age or older must consent to the adoption in writing or in court.  The court may waive this requirement if it would serve the child's best interest.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 76, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.011 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.011. Revocation of Consent

Sec. 162.011.  REVOCATION OF CONSENT.  At any time before an order granting the adoption of the child is rendered, a consent required by Section 162.010 may be revoked by filing a signed revocation.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.012 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.012. Direct or Collateral Attack

Sec. 162.012.  DIRECT OR COLLATERAL ATTACK.  (a)  Notwithstanding Rule 329, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the validity of an adoption order is not subject to attack after six months after the date the order was signed.(b)  The validity of a final adoption order is not subject to attack because a health, social, educational, and genetic history was not filed.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 601, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 600, Sec. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.|
TX Fam Code § 162.013 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.013. Abatement or Dismissal

Sec. 162.013.  ABATEMENT OR DISMISSAL.  (a)  If the sole petitioner dies or the joint petitioners die, the court shall dismiss the suit for adoption.(b)  If one of the joint petitioners dies, the proceeding shall continue uninterrupted.(c)  If the joint petitioners divorce, the court shall abate the suit for adoption.  The court shall dismiss the petition unless the petition is amended to request adoption by one of the original petitioners.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.014 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.014. Attendance at Hearing Required

Sec. 162.014.  ATTENDANCE AT HEARING REQUIRED.  (a)  If the joint petitioners are husband and wife and it would be unduly difficult for one of the petitioners to appear at the hearing, the court may waive the attendance of that petitioner if the other spouse is present.(b)  A child to be adopted who is 12 years of age or older shall attend the hearing.  The court may waive this requirement in the best interest of the child.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 162.015 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 162 - Adoption|Subchapter A. Adoption of a Child|Section 162.015. Race or Ethnicity

Sec. 162.015.  RACE OR ETHNICITY.  (a)  In determining the best interest of the child, the court may not deny or delay the adoption or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity of the child or the prospective adoptive parents.(b)  This section does not apply to a person, entity, tribe, organization, or child custody proceeding subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Section 1901 et seq.).  In this subsection "child custody proceeding" has the meaning provided by 25 U.S.C. Section 1903.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 77, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.|