Can a registered sex offender be around his / her child if the child is under 16?

You asked two different questions, but the answers are similar. (1) Can a registered sex offender be around his own child? Unless there are orders in place saying otherwise or putting conditions on being with the child, yes. (2) Can a registered sex offender live in the same house with his niece and her parents? Again, unless there are orders saying otherwise, yes. If either child has been the subject of a SACR/Divorce, there should be language in the final decree saying that if a parent lives with a registered sex offender, that parent has to notify the other parent/conservator. That may not apply in your case. A comprehensive web site on Texas sex offender laws is here: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/csot/csot_solaws.shtm There are federal laws as well, but the Texas law are more strict.