{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-71.0021","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Family Code § 71.0021","heading":"DATING VIOLENCE.","body":"(a) \"Dating violence\" means an act, other than a defensive measure to protect oneself, by an actor that:\n(1) is committed against a victim or applicant for a protective order:\n(A) with whom the actor has or has had a dating relationship; or\n(B) because of the victim's or applicant's marriage to or dating relationship with an individual with whom the actor is or has been in a dating relationship or marriage; and\n(2) is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or that is a threat that reasonably places the victim or applicant in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault.\n(b) For purposes of this title, \"dating relationship\" means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on consideration of:\n(1) the length of the relationship;\n(2) the nature of the relationship; and\n(3) the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.\n(c) A casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context does not constitute a \"dating relationship\" under Subsection (b).\nAdded by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 91, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.\nAmended by:\nActs 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 872 (S.B. 116), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.\nActs 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 117 (S.B. 817), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.","path":["FAMILY CODE","TITLE 4. PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND FAMILY VIOLENCE","SUBTITLE A. GENERAL PROVISIONS","CHAPTER 71. DEFINITIONS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.71.htm#71.0021","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:10Z","sha256":"78796511bbaf79ddc6707dd2723d5cc259337ad7c8fe25a9c9222b870db06937","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-71.002","next":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-71.003"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}