BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1572
                                                    By: Henderson
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          4-12-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution can and
often do help resolve family law cases.  There is no required
language in initial pleading, however, to make people aware of
mediation.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1572 encourages the use of alternative dispute
resolution (ADR) by requiring an ADR statement to be included in
the first pleading filed by the party in certain proceedings.

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 Chapter 3C, Family Code, by adding Section 3.522,
as follows:

     Sec. 3.522.  STATEMENT ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 
     Requires a party to a proceeding under this title to include
     in the first pleading filed by the party in the proceeding a
     statement providing information on alternative dispute
     resolution in family law matters.  Sets forth required
     language for the statement.  Requires the statement to be
     printed in a certain manner.  Provides that the statement is
     not required under certain circumstances.
SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 11A, Family Code, by adding Section
11.081, as follows:

     Sec. 11.081.  STATEMENT ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 
     Requires a party to a proceeding brought under this chapter
     and Chapters 12 through 14 to include in the first pleading
     filed by the party in the proceeding a statement on
     alternative dispute resolution.  Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.
           Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.