BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2094
By: Thompson
April 4, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Under the Texas Family Code, Section 4.03, a person who marries is
considered an adult for most purposes, and this bill would bring
the Code in line with this thinking regarding inpatient mental
health facilities, so that a person is able as an adult to
voluntarily check in to a mental health treatment facility for
services.

PURPOSE

H.B. 2094 would allow a person younger than 16 years of age, who is
or has been married, to request and be admitted voluntarily to a
mental health facility for services.

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 Sec. 572.001(a) and (d), Health and Safety Code,
as follows:

     (a) Adds that a person younger than age 16 who is or has been
married may request admission to an inpatient mental health
facility by filing a request with the administrator of the
facility. Adds the clarification that a person younger than age 16
who is not and has not been married must have a parent, guardian or
managing conservator make the request.

     (d) Adds that a person younger than age 16 who is or has been
married may be admitted by the administrator as a voluntary patient
without the consent of a parent, guardian or managing conservator.
Deletes the reference to the person as a minor.

SECTION 2. Amends Sec. 572.002, Health and Safety Code, to add that
a person younger than age 16 who is or has been married may
voluntarily agree to admission as a patient. Adds the clarification
that if the person younger than age 16 who is not and has not been
married may be admitted voluntarily if agreed to by the parent,
guardian or managing conservator.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 2094 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public
hearing on April 4, 1995.

The following person testified in favor of the bill:
Representative Thompson, author of the bill.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the
Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 8
Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 1 Absent.