87R3496 MLH-D     By: Dutton H.B. No. 1235       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the power of associate judges to render and sign certain   ancillary orders in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 201.007(a), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate   judge may:                (1)  conduct a hearing;                (2)  hear evidence;                (3)  compel production of relevant evidence;                (4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;                (5)  issue a summons for:                      (A)  the appearance of witnesses; and                      (B)  the appearance of a parent who has failed to   appear before an agency authorized to conduct an investigation of   an allegation of abuse or neglect of a child after receiving proper   notice;                (6)  examine a witness;                (7)  swear a witness for a hearing;                (8)  make findings of fact on evidence;                (9)  formulate conclusions of law;                (10)  recommend an order to be rendered in a case;                (11)  regulate all proceedings in a hearing before the   associate judge;                (12)  order the attachment of a witness or party who   fails to obey a subpoena;                (13)  order the detention of a witness or party found   guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court as   provided by Section 201.013;                (14)  without prejudice to the right to a de novo   hearing before the referring court under Section 201.015 and   subject to Subsection (c), render and sign:                      (A)  a final order agreed to in writing as to both   form and substance by all parties;                      (B)  a final default order;                      (C)  a temporary order; [or]                      (D)  an order for transfer of continuing,   exclusive jurisdiction under Chapter 155;                      (E)  an order for transfer of venue of an original   suit under Chapter 103;                      (F)  an order granting a new trial; or                      (G)  a final order in a case in which a party files   an unrevoked waiver made in accordance with Rule 119, Texas Rules of   Civil Procedure, that waives notice to the party of the final   hearing or waives the party's appearance at the final hearing;                (15)  take action as necessary and proper for the   efficient performance of the associate judge's duties; and                (16)  render and sign a final order if the parties waive   the right to a de novo hearing before the referring court under   Section 201.015 in writing before the start of a hearing conducted   by the associate judge.          SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to a   suit affecting the parent-child relationship referred to an   associate judge that is pending before a trial court on or filed on   or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.