BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         H.B. 223
                                              By: Munoz (Sponsor)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                         05-04-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Under current law, the definition of a missing child is a person
under 17 years of age.  The National Child Search Assistance Act of
1990 requires states to report all missing children under the age
of 18.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 223 redefines "child" to mean a person under 18
years of age.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 79.001(a), (2), and (4), Human Resources
Code, to redefine "child" as a person under 18, rather than 17,
years of age; and "missing person" as a person 18, rather than 17,
years old or older whose disappearance is possibly not voluntary. 
Provides that "missing child" or "missing person" also includes a
person of any age who is missing and is in the company of another
person or is in a situation the circumstances of which indicate
that the missing child's or person's safety is in doubt.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.