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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the beginning and ending possession times in certain |
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standard possession orders in a suit affecting the parent-child |
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relationship. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 153, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 153.3171 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 153.3171. BEGINNING AND ENDING POSSESSION TIMES FOR |
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PARENTS WHO RESIDE 50 MILES OR LESS APART. (a) Except as provided |
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by Subsection (b), if the possessory conservator resides not more |
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than 50 miles from the primary residence of the child, the court |
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shall alter the standard possession order under Sections 153.312, |
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153.314, and 153.315 to provide that the conservator has the right |
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to possession of the child as if the conservator had made the |
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elections for alternative beginning and ending possession times |
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under Sections 153.317(a)(1)(C), (2)(C), (3), (4), (5), (6), |
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(7)(C), and (8). |
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(b) A possessory conservator may decline any of the |
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alternative beginning and ending possession times under Subsection |
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(a) in a written document filed with the court or through an oral |
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statement made in open court on the record. |
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SECTION 2. The enactment of this Act does not constitute a |
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material and substantial change of circumstances sufficient to |
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warrant modification of a court order or portion of a decree that |
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provides for the possession of or access to a child rendered before |
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the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is pending in a |
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trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is filed on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |