Bill Text: TX HB701 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the appointment of an attorney ad litem or an amicus attorney in certain cases of divorce.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB701 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB701-Introduced.html

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By: Bernal H.B. No. 701

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the appointment of an attorney ad litem or an amicus
attorney in certain cases of divorce.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 153, Family Code, is amended by adding
Section 153.259 to read as follows:
Section 153.259. MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM
OR AMICUS ATTORNEY IN CASES OF DIVORCE. The court shall, for a
child under 12 years of age and in divorce cases which the
possession of a child by a parent is contested and the possession of
the child varies from the standard possession order, appoint an
attorney ad litem or amicus attorney for the purpose of assisting
the court in determining the best interest of the child.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.