TX HB2496

Requires courts to find that family violence occurred within two years preceding the filing of a protective order application, establishing a specific time limitation for qualifying incidents

Allows protective orders when the respondent was imprisoned for a family violence offense and released within two years of the application filing, even if the violence itself occurred earlier

Establishes a presumption that family violence occurred within the two-year period if the respondent was convicted or placed on deferred adjudication for certain offenses against a child and had parental rights terminated during that period

Permits courts to issue protective orders exceeding two years if the respondent committed a felony family violence offense, was recently released from incarceration for such offense, caused serious bodily injury, or was subject to two or more prior protective orders

Applies only to protective order applications filed on or after September 1, 2025