BILL ANALYSIS

JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY ISSUES
H.B. 115
By: Tillery    
2-21-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

Under current law, the only enforcement measure for the failure of the
parent, managing conservator, or guardian to appear with the child in
response to a summons endorsed by a justice or municipal court is limited
to a contempt proceeding. 


PURPOSE

 A parent, managing conservator, or guardian who fails to attend a hearing
after receiving a summons to appear with the child commits a class C
misdemeanor. 


RULE MAKING 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. Section 54.022, Family Code, is amended by changing Subsection
(g) to state that the offense for violating an order under Subsection (e)
is a Class C misdemeanor. 
   Former Subsection (g) is relettered and amended as Subsection (h).
Striking the word, "other", and adding new language, to include the
offense added in Subsection (g). 
 
SECTION 2.   States that the law is not retroactive. 

SECTION 3.  Sets the effective date as September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4.  Emergency Clause.













CJ H.B. 115 75(R)