(a) At the hearing on the petition, the court may hear evidence relating to the child’s need for care by the petitioner, any other matter raised in the petition, and any objection or other testimony of the child’s parent, conservator, or guardian. (b) The court shall award temporary authorization for care of the child to the petitioner if the court finds it is necessary to the child’s welfare and no objection is made by the child’s parent, conservator, or guardian. If an objection is made, the court shall dismiss the petition without prejudice. (c) The court shall grant the petition for temporary authorization only if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child does not have a parent, conservator, guardian, or other legal representative available to give the necessary consent. (d) The order granting temporary authorization under this chapter expires on the first anniversary of the date of issuance or at an earlier date determined by the court. The order may authorize the petitioner to:
(1) consent to medical, dental, psychological, and surgical treatment and immunization of the child; (2) execute any consent or authorization for the release of information as required by law relating to the treatment or immunization under Subdivision (1); (3) obtain and maintain any public benefit for the child; (4) enroll the child in a day-care program, preschool, or public or private primary or secondary school; (5) authorize the child to participate in age-appropriate extracurricular, civic, social, or recreational activities, including athletic activities; and (6) authorize or consent to any other care for the child essential to the child’s welfare. (e) An order granting temporary authorization under this chapter must state:
(1) the name and date of birth of the person with temporary authorization to care for the child; (2) the specific areas of authorization granted to the person; (3) that the order does not supersede any rights of a parent, conservator, or guardian as provided by court order; and (4) the expiration date of the temporary authorization order. (f) A copy of an order for temporary authorization must:
(1) be filed under the cause number in any court that has rendered a conservatorship or guardian order regarding the child; and (2) be sent to the last known address of the child’s parent, conservator, or guardian.
Tex. Fam. Code ยง 35.005
Added by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. – Regular Session, ch. 334,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2017.
