JUDICIAL ACTION ON ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S PROPOSED ORDER OR JUDGMENT.
Tex. FAM Code § 201.014.
in effect(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, unless a party files a written request for a de novo hearing before the referring court, the referring court may:
(1) adopt, modify, or reject the associate judge's proposed order or judgment;
(2) hear further evidence; or
(3) recommit the matter to the associate judge for further proceedings.
(b) Regardless of whether a party files a written request for a de novo hearing before the referring court, a proposed order or judgment rendered by an associate judge in a suit filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services that meets the requirements of Section 263.401 (d) is considered a final order for purposes of Section 263.401 .
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1302, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.