The Texas Legislature 87th Session: New Texas Family Code Bills and Revisions

The Texas 87th session was very uneventful this year, with two additional  sessions. Listed below are some new bills and bill revisions that passed this year for the Texas Family Code: 

  • HB 3774: Effective September 1, 2021, The date of the marriage must now be included in all final decrees of divorce in an official court document. Proof of the length of marriage is required to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. 
  • HB 2926: September 1, 2021, Reinstatement of Parental Rights after Involuntary Termination.  This is a new and significant procedure that allows certain people, including the Department of Family and Protective Services and a previously terminated parent, to move for reinstatement of their parental rights. Subchapter D added to Ch. 161 of the Texas Family Code, sets out the basic requirements for filing and hearing procedures.
  • SB1936: September 1, 2021, expressly states the standard Possession Order that the alternative ending time for Monday school holiday and teacher in-service days is 8a.m. on the following Tuesday and if a conservator live less than 50 miles from the other conservator, the court shall also award that conservator the alternative beginning and ending time for standard possession order. This award does not apply if the possessory conservator declines one or of the alternative times or possession is limited by the court in the best interest of the child.
    *If the Possessory Conservator lives more than 50 but not more than 100 miles from the child’s primary residence, the law will not change: that parent may still opt into the Expanded Standard Possession Order (ESPO) – but it will not be automatic.
  • HB 1012: September 1, 2021, Access to residence or former residence to retrieve personal property.  If entry is denied by a current occupant, the denied person could seek a writ, authorizing them to go to the residence to get their possessions with a peace officer.  If the property was listed in a Decree, relief can be sought in court granting such Decree.
  • HB 3009: September 1, 2021, Child Custody evaluators must be able to communicate with a parent in their primacy language or have someone who can assist the parent in their primary language for Child custody evaluations. 

This legislature Session caused a lot of “smoke” but “little fire” for Texas Family Law.  

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