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.