BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1109
By: Greenberg
04-25-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Current law does not specifically include adoptions not performed
by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or an
agency licensed under this agency in the requirement of a social
study prior to the adoption.

PURPOSE

CSHB 1109 will require that a social study be performed prior to
all adoptions.

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.  Amends Section 162.003, Family Code, as added by H.B.
655, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, to
require a social study in a suit for adoption, including a private
adoption.  Requires a social study to include a complete
investigation of the circumstances and condition of the home of a
person seeking to adopt a child.  Requires the court to order the
cost of the social study to be paid by the person seeking to adopt
the child.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1995.  Makes application
of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency Clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

CSHB 1109 adds a provision requiring the court to order the
prospective adoptive parent to pay the cost of the social study.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1109 was considered in a public hearing on 29 March 1995.

The following persons testified in favor of H.B. 1109:
     Victor Negron, representing himself and adoptive parents;
     Shannon Noble, Texas Women's Political Caucus.

The bill was left pending in committee.

In a public hearing on 5 April 1995, the committee considered a
complete substitute for the bill which was adopted without
objection.  H.B. 1109 was reported favorably as substituted with
the recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record vote
of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 pnv, 3 absent.