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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to wrongful death actions for the benefit of siblings of |
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the decedent. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 71.001, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows: |
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(5) "Sibling" means: |
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(A) a sibling of the whole or half blood or by |
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adoption; or |
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(B) a stepsibling. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 71.004(a) and (b), Civil Practice and |
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Remedies Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) An action to recover damages as provided by this |
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subchapter is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, |
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children, [and] parents, and siblings of the deceased. |
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(b) The surviving spouse, children, [and] parents, and |
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siblings of the deceased may bring the action or one or more of |
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those individuals may bring the action for the benefit of all. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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an action commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
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action commenced before the effective date of this Act is governed |
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by the law applicable to the action immediately before the |
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effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |