Family Code §51.03

In force on Nov 09, 2026 · this text took effect Sep 01, 2021 · same as today's text

DELINQUENT CONDUCT; CONDUCT INDICATING A NEED FOR SUPERVISION

(a) Delinquent conduct is: (1) conduct, other than a traffic offense, that violates a penal law of this state or of the United States punishable by imprisonment or by confinement in jail; (2) conduct that violates a lawful order of a court under circumstances that would constitute contempt of that court in: (A) a justice or municipal court; (B) a county court for conduct punishable only by a fine; or (C) a truancy court; (3) conduct that violates Section 49.04 , 49.05 , 49.06 , 49.07 , or 49.08 , Penal Code; or (4) conduct that violates Section 106.041 , Alcoholic Beverage Code, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor (third or subsequent offense). (b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is: (1) subject to Subsection (f), conduct, other than a traffic offense, that violates: (A) the penal laws of this state of the grade of misdemeanor that are punishable by fine only; or (B) the penal ordinances of any political subdivision of this state; (2) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a substantial length of time or without intent to return; (3) conduct prohibited by city ordinance or by state law involving the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of paint and other protective coatings or glue and other adhesives and the volatile chemicals itemized in Section 485.001 , Health and Safety Code; (4) an act that violates a school district's previously communicated written standards of student conduct for which the child has been expelled under Section 37.007 (c), Education Code; (5) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct described by Section 43.02 or 43.021 , Penal Code; (6) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct that violates Section 43.261 , Penal Code; or (7) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct that violates Section 42.0601 , Penal Code, if the child has not previously been adjudicated as having engaged in conduct violating that section. (c) Nothing in this title prevents criminal proceedings against a child for perjury. (d) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398 ), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015. (e) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(2), "child" does not include a person who is married, divorced, or widowed. (e-1) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398 ), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015. (f) Conduct described under Subsection (b)(1) does not constitute conduct indicating a need for supervision unless the child has been referred to the juvenile court under Section 51.08 (b). (g) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398 ), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015.

History: Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, Sec. 2 to 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 906, ch. 340, Sec. 1, eff. June 6, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 511, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 924, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 955, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1099, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1100, Sec. 3.02, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, Sec. 1, 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(35), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 7.02, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 46, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 14.30, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1015, Sec. 15, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 311 (H.B. 558 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1098 (S.B. 1489 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1150 (H.B. 2015 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1322 (S.B. 407 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093 ), Sec. 7.001, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862 ), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398 ), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398 ), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1273 (S.B. 825 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488 ), Sec. 7.002, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 685 (H.B. 29 ), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540 ), Sec. 38, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 945 (S.B. 1056 ), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2021.

Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.

Every version on file

Effective Sep 01, 2021 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026

Attorney General opinions that cite it

GA-0131 (Jun 27, 2003): Whether a juvenile court may detain a child under section 53.02 or 54.01, Family Code, before adjudicating and disposing of a charge of delinquent conduct, such as contempt of a justice court order JC-0426 ( 2001 ) Affirmed by
JM-1159 (Apr 19, 1990): Enforcement of prohibi- tions against absenteeism in public schools
JM-0520: Whether Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 596, at 4559, impliedly repealed section 51.03(b)(5) of the Family Code, which defines, inhalation of paint fumes or glue as "conduct indicating a need for supervision"

A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.