Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 261.504 - Required Findings; Issuance of Protective Order(a) At the close of a hearing on an application for a protective order under this subchapter, the court shall find whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that: (1) the child: (A) is a victim of abuse or neglect; or(B) has a history of being abused or neglected; and(2) there is a threat of: (A) immediate or continued abuse or neglect to the child;(B) someone illegally taking the child from the home in which the child is placed;(C) behavior that poses a threat to the caregiver with whom the child is placed; or(D) someone committing an act of violence against the child or the child's caregiver.(a-1) In making a determination whether the child is or has been a victim of abuse or neglect, the court shall consider the opinion of a medical professional obtained by an individual against whom a protective order is sought.(b) If the court makes an affirmative finding under Subsection (a), the court shall issue a protective order that includes a statement of that finding.Amended by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 1047,Sec. 4, eff. 9/1/2021.Added by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 317,Sec. 14, eff. if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the Act is provided in a general appropriations act of the 85th Legislature.