TX RO

Due to 2021 changes to the law, we did the following in English and Spanish in our Texas Restraining Orders section:

• In our Family Violence Protective Orders section, we:
  • updated Step 5: The hearing for a permanent protective order to include that proof of service must be filed before a default judgement can be issued;
  • added information about separating out a victim’s cell phone number and their child’s from the abuser’s cell phone plan in What protections can I get in a protective order?
• In our Protective Orders for Victims of Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Indecent Assault, Stalking, or Trafficking section, we:
  • changed the name of “continuous abuse of a young child or children” to “continuous abuse of a young child or disabled individual”;
  • updated the definition of sexual assault in What is the definition of sexual assault? to include when the perpetrator is a caregiver hired to assist the victim with activities of daily life, a coach, or a tutor and causes the victim to submit or participate by using his/her power or influence to exploit the victim’s dependency on the perpetrator;
  • in What types of protective orders are available? How long do they last?, added the fact that a criminal conviction for any of the acts that could qualify someone for an order is enough of a reason for the judge to grant the victim the order; 
  • in How do I cancel the protective order once it is issued?, added the fact that any person who filed for the order can file to rescind it except that a parent or guardian cannot file an application to rescind the protective order if s/he is the respondent on the protective order;

We also added two new statutes regarding separating a wireless phone plan and regarding solicitation of prostitution to our Selected Texas Statutes page.