BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         H.B. 655
                                             By: Goodman (Harris)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                           4-4-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

In its Final Report to the 74th Texas Legislature, the Joint
Interim Committee on the Family Code recommended a total
recodification of Title 2 of the Texas Family Code as drafted by
the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Title 2 of the
Texas Family Code contains the statutes regarding paternity,
conservatorship, possession and support of children, termination of
the parent-child relationship and adoption.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 655 recodifies and reenacts statutes relating to
parents and children and suits affecting the parent-child
relationship, including conforming amendments, repealers, and
penalties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Recodifies the Family Code by reenacting Title 2 and
adding Title 5.

SECTION 2. (1) Repealer:  Title 2, Family Code (Parent and Child).

     (2) Repealer:  Chapters 41, 45, 47, 49, 76, 77, and 151, Human
     Resources Code (Child Welfare Services-Interstate Placement of
     Children-Adoption Services-Voluntary Adoption Registries-Attorney General's Office-Parent Locator Service-Domestic
     Relations Office).
     
     (3) Repealer:  Chapter 54A, Government Code (Family Law
     Masters).
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.