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Bill

HB 2160

Relating to the interview of a child in a suit affecting a parent-child relationship.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Erin Gámez

HB 2160 establishes procedures for interviewing children in Texas custody cases to protect child welfare while ensuring reliable information for parental rights determinations.

Placed on General State Calendar
#childcustody(s4378) #conservatorship(s0683) #courts--general(i0160) #family--general(i0354) #family--parent&child(i0355) #minors--general(i0537) #protectionofpersonalinformation(i0003)
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Bill Summary · HB 2160

Legislative bill overview

HB 2160 modifies Texas procedures for interviewing children in family law cases involving custody, visitation, and parent-child relationships. The bill appears to establish or clarify protocols for how courts and attorneys may conduct these sensitive interviews, likely addressing safeguards for child welfare and interview methodology.

Why is this important

Child interviews in custody disputes directly affect custody decisions that impact children's living situations and parental access. Establishing clear procedural standards helps protect children from manipulation, trauma, or improper questioning while ensuring courts obtain reliable information for custody determinations.

Potential points of contention

  • Child protection vs. parental access: Balancing safeguards against coaching or abuse with parents' rights to participate in or understand interview processes
  • Interview standards and reliability: Disagreement over whether specific interview protocols improve accuracy or create barriers to obtaining relevant information
  • Cost and implementation: Questions about training requirements for interviewers and whether new procedures increase litigation costs and timeline delays

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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