CJ C.S.S.B. 497 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY ISSUES
C.S.S.B. 497
By: HARRIS (MC REYNOLDS)
5-9-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law is not clear whether a person other than a parent may
receive support for an adult disabled child (ADC) under Sections 154.302
and 154.303, Family Code.  In many cases, however, the custody and care of
an ADC is undertaken by a grandparent, another relative, or a state
agency, or the ADC himself or herself, provided that the ADC is capable.
This bill would allow a person other than the parent to take action and
receive payments for an ADC, subject to existing conditions.   
PURPOSE

As proposed, the bill provides for court-ordered child support for a
disabled child and standing to sue under this subchapter.  

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 154.302, Family Code, by adding a new
subsection(b) to require a court that orders support under this section to
designate a parent of the child or another person having custody or
guardianship of the child under a court order to receive the support for
the child. Authorizes the court to designate a child 18 years of age or
older to receive support directly. Makes a conforming change.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 154.303, Family Code, as follows:

Sec. 154.303 New heading: STANDING TO SUE. Adds to the persons authorized
to sue under this subchapter. Makes a conforming change.  

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.



COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Section 2 of the substitute deletes the term"entity" from the persons
designated.