89R13645 MM-D     By: Dutton H.B. No. 3996       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to extensions of the mandatory dismissal date in certain   suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the   Department of Family and Protective Services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 263.401(b) and (b-3), Family Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  Unless the court has commenced the trial on the merits,   the court may not retain the suit on the court's docket after the   time described by Subsection (a) unless the parent in open court   requests an extension of time and the court finds that   extraordinary circumstances necessitate the child remaining in the   temporary managing conservatorship of the department and that   continuing the appointment of the department as temporary managing   conservator is in the best interest of the child. If the court   makes those findings, the court may retain the suit on the court's   docket for a period not to exceed 180 days after the time described   by Subsection (a). If the court retains the suit on the court's   docket, the court shall render an order in which the court:                (1)  schedules the new date on which the suit will be   automatically dismissed if the trial on the merits has not   commenced, which date must be not later than the 180th day after the   time described by Subsection (a);                (2)  makes further temporary orders for the safety and   welfare of the child as necessary to avoid further delay in   resolving the suit; and                (3)  sets the trial on the merits on a date not later   than the date specified under Subdivision (1).          (b-3)  A court shall find under Subsection (b) that   extraordinary circumstances necessitate the child remaining in the   temporary managing conservatorship of the department if:                (1)  a parent of a child has made a good faith effort to   successfully complete the service plan but needs additional time,   including additional time to complete a substance abuse treatment   program that was ordered as part of the service plan; and                (2)  on completion of the service plan the court   intends to order the child returned to the parent.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.