Section 201.014 - Judicial Action on Associate Judge's Proposed Order or Judgment(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.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 912,Sec. 1.03, eff. 9/1/2017.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 279,Sec. 3, eff. 5/29/2017.Amended By Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1235, Sec. 6, eff. 9/1/2007.Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1302, Sec. 9, eff. 9/1/1999.Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. 4/20/1995.