SRC-SLL H.B. 2155 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2155 By: Solis (Harris) Jurisprudence 5-17-97 Engrossed DIGEST The denial of visitation rights is a common problem. For many parents with limited resources, attorney's fees and court costs prohibit these parents from seeking contempt actions for visitation denials enabling them to enforce visitation orders. This bill will provide regulations regarding the enforcement of possession orders by the Title IV-D agency of the Office of the Attorney General. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2155 provides regulations regarding the enforcement of possession orders by the Title IV-D agency. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Requires the Title IV-D agency of the Office of the Attorney General (agency) to develop a plan to establish a pilot project to support and facilitate noncustodial parents' access to and visitation with their children through activities including voluntary and mandatory mediation, counseling, education, development of parenting plans, and enforcement of possession orders issued under Chapter 153, Family Code. Requires the agency to submit a report on the plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before January 15, 1998. SECTION 2. Requires the agency to seek available federal funding for the implementation and support of the pilot project authorized by this Act. SECTION 3. Defines "Title IV-D agency." SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.