Texas Senate Unanimously Passes SB 2794, Introducing 'Three Strikes' Law for Child Custody Interference
In a landmark decision today, the Texas Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 2794, introducing a "Three Strikes" policy aimed at curbing repeated interference with child custody arrangements. If signed into law, this legislation will impose escalating penalties on individuals who repeatedly violate court-ordered custody agreements, culminating in a state jail felony on the third offense.
Understanding SB 2794
SB 2794 amends Sections 25.03(b) and (d) of the Texas Penal Code, targeting individuals who, with the intent to interfere with lawful custody, knowingly entice or persuade a child to leave the custody of the custodial parent or guardian. The bill's "Three Strikes" provision ensures that repeat offenders face increasingly severe consequences, with the third violation classified as a state jail felony.
Protecting Families and Upholding Court Orders
The legislation aims to protect custodial parents and children from the emotional and psychological harm caused by repeated custody interference. By enforcing stricter penalties, SB 2794 seeks to uphold the integrity of court-ordered custody arrangements and deter individuals from violating them.
Parental rights advocate Robert Garza has been a vocal supporter of SB 2794. In his advocacy, Garza emphasizes the detrimental effects of parental alienation and the importance of enforcing custody agreements to maintain healthy parent-child relationships. He has previously highlighted the need for reforms that address the emotional abuse stemming from custody interference and has advocated for measures that restore lost custody time to affected parents.
A Step Forward in Family Law Reform
The unanimous passage of SB 2794 reflects a growing recognition of the need to address custody interference more effectively. By introducing a structured penalty system, the bill represents a significant step toward strengthening family law enforcement in Texas.
As the bill awaits the governor's signature, its potential enactment signals a commitment to protecting the rights of custodial parents and ensuring the well-being of children affected by custody disputes.
For more information on SB 2794 and its implications, visit the Texas Legislature Online.
Better read that bill carefully. It says "custodial" parents. We all know that "custodial" parent can mean the sole "custodial" parent=mother. Are joint custodial parents of secondary residence (fathers) considered "custodial" parents? Does "custodial" parent mean the joint custodial mother, who has "primary" custody? Is a parent with "visitation" or, in other words, "parenting time", considered a "custodial" parent when the child(ren) are with him (notice I use the masculine language version)? What happens when you have 50/50 joint "custody"? Who is the "custodial" parent then?
General response to Bruce and Clayton: I tried to stay objective and I admitted that my perceptions and experiences are reported with some degree of bias, as are all of ours. What I didn't do is resort to classifying and name calling. But well done. I will disengage now. I suggest you reflect. I believe you're suffering from a classic case of "you don't know that you don't know". I can't help that and I can't change that, so I certainly won't argue or debate it. It's too irrational.