Tex. Fam. Code Section 153.015
Electronic Communication with Child by Conservator


(a)

In this section, “electronic communication” means any communication facilitated by the use of any wired or wireless technology via the Internet or any other electronic media. The term includes communication facilitated by the use of a telephone, electronic mail, instant messaging, videoconferencing, or webcam.

(b)

If a conservator of a child requests the court to order periods of electronic communication with the child under this section, the court may award the conservator reasonable periods of electronic communication with the child to supplement the conservator’s periods of possession of the child. In determining whether to award electronic communication, the court shall consider:

(1)

whether electronic communication is in the best interest of the child;

(2)

whether equipment necessary to facilitate the electronic communication is reasonably available to all parties subject to the order; and

(3)

any other factor the court considers appropriate.

(c)

If a court awards a conservator periods of electronic communication with a child under this section, each conservator subject to the court’s order shall:

(1)

provide the other conservator with the e-mail address and other electronic communication access information of the child;

(2)

notify the other conservator of any change in the e-mail address or other electronic communication access information not later than 24 hours after the date the change takes effect; and

(3)

if necessary equipment is reasonably available, accommodate electronic communication with the child, with the same privacy, respect, and dignity accorded all other forms of access, at a reasonable time and for a reasonable duration subject to any limitation provided by the court in the court’s order.

(d)

The court may not consider the availability of electronic communication as a factor in determining child support. The availability of electronic communication under this section is not intended as a substitute for physical possession of or access to the child where otherwise appropriate.

(e)

In a suit in which the court’s order contains provisions related to a finding of family violence in the suit, including supervised visitation, the court may award periods of electronic communication under this section only if:

(1)

the award and terms of the award are mutually agreed to by the parties; and

(2)

the terms of the award:

(A)

are printed in the court’s order in boldfaced, capitalized type; and

(B)

include any specific restrictions relating to family violence or supervised visitation, as applicable, required by other law to be included in a possession or access order.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 228), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2007.

Source: Section 153.015 — Electronic Communication with Child by Conservator, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.­153.­htm#153.­015 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

153.001
Public Policy
153.002
Best Interest of Child
153.003
No Discrimination Based on Sex or Marital Status
153.004
History of Domestic Violence or Sexual Abuse
153.005
Appointment of Sole or Joint Managing Conservator
153.006
Appointment of Possessory Conservator
153.007
Agreed Parenting Plan
153.009
Interview of Child in Chambers
153.010
Order for Family Counseling
153.011
Security Bond
153.012
Right to Privacy
153.013
False Report of Child Abuse
153.014
Visitation Centers and Visitation Exchange Facilities
153.015
Electronic Communication with Child by Conservator
153.0071
Alternate Dispute Resolution Procedures
153.071
Court to Specify Rights and Duties of Parent Appointed a Conservator
153.072
Written Finding Required to Limit Parental Rights and Duties
153.073
Rights of Parent at All Times
153.074
Rights and Duties During Period of Possession
153.075
Duties of Parent Not Appointed Conservator
153.076
Duty to Provide Information
153.131
Presumption that Parent to Be Appointed Managing Conservator
153.132
Rights and Duties of Parent Appointed Sole Managing Conservator
153.133
Parenting Plan for Joint Managing Conservatorship
153.134
Court-ordered Joint Conservatorship
153.135
Equal Possession Not Required
153.138
Child Support Order Affecting Joint Conservators
153.191
Presumption that Parent to Be Appointed Possessory Conservator
153.192
Rights and Duties of Parent Appointed Possessory Conservator
153.193
Minimal Restriction on Parent’s Possession or Access
153.251
Policy and General Application of Guidelines
153.252
Rebuttable Presumption
153.253
Standard Possession Order Inappropriate or Unworkable
153.254
Child Less than Three Years of Age
153.255
Agreement
153.256
Factors for Court to Consider
153.257
Means of Travel
153.258
Request for Findings When Order Varies from Standard Order
153.311
Mutual Agreement or Specified Terms for Possession
153.314
Holiday Possession Unaffected by Distance Parents Reside Apart
153.315
Weekend Possession Extended by Holiday
153.316
General Terms and Conditions
153.317
Alternative Beginning and Ending Possession Times
153.371
Rights and Duties of Nonparent Appointed as Sole Managing Conservator
153.372
Nonparent Appointed as Joint Managing Conservator
153.373
Voluntary Surrender of Possession Rebuts Parental Presumption
153.374
Designation of Managing Conservator in Affidavit of Relinquishment
153.375
Annual Report by Nonparent Managing Conservator
153.376
Rights and Duties of Nonparent Possessory Conservator
153.377
Access to Child’s Records
153.431
Appointment of Grandparent, Aunt, or Uncle as Managing Conservator
153.432
Suit for Possession or Access by Grandparent
153.433
Possession of or Access to Grandchild
153.434
Limitation on Right to Request Possession or Access
153.501
Necessity of Measures to Prevent International Parental Child Abduction
153.502
Abduction Risk Factors
153.503
Abduction Prevention Measures
153.551
Suit for Access
153.601
Definitions
153.602
Parenting Plan Not Required in Temporary Order
153.603
Requirement of Parenting Plan in Final Order
153.605
Appointment of Parenting Coordinator
153.606
Duties of Parenting Coordinator
153.607
Presumption of Good Faith
153.608
Report of Parenting Coordinator
153.609
Compensation of Parenting Coordinator
153.610
Qualifications of Parenting Coordinator
153.611
Exception for Certain Title Iv-d Proceedings
153.701
Definitions
153.702
Temporary Orders
153.703
Appointing Designated Person for Conservator with Exclusive Right to Designate Primary Residence of Child
153.704
Appointing Designated Person to Exercise Visitation for Conservator with Exclusive Right to Designate Primary Residence of Child in Certain Circumstances
153.705
Appointing Designated Person to Exercise Visitation for Conservator Without Exclusive Right to Designate Primary Residence of Child
153.707
Expedited Hearing
153.708
Enforcement
153.709
Additional Periods of Possession or Access
153.00715
Determination of Validity and Enforceability of Contract Containing Agreement to Arbitrate
153.3721
Access to Certain Records by Nonparent Joint Managing Conservator
153.6031
Exception to Dispute Resolution Process Requirement
153.6051
Appointment of Parenting Facilitator
153.6061
Duties of Parenting Facilitator
153.6071
Presumption of Good Faith
153.6081
Report of Parenting Facilitator
153.6082
Report of Joint Proposal or Statement of Intent
153.6083
Communications and Recordkeeping of Parenting Facilitator
153.6091
Compensation of Parenting Facilitator
153.6101
Qualifications of Parenting Facilitator
153.6102
Parenting Facilitator

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 153.015’s source at texas​.gov