SRC-SLL S.B. 947 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 947
By: Patterson
Jurisprudence
3-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, when a parent is given custody of a child in a divorce
proceeding, no finding is made as to which parent would be more likely to
encourage the parent-child relationship.  This bill will require the court
to consider which parent would be more likely to allow the child frequent
and continuing contact with the other parent and to facilitate and
encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the
child and the other parent  when making certain decisions. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 947 requires the court to consider which parent would be
more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the
other parent and to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing
parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 153.131, Family Code, by adding Subsection (c),
to require the court, if the court determines that a parent should be
appointed sole managing conservator of the child, to give preference to
the parent the court determines to be more likely to allow the child
frequent and continuing contact with the other parent and to facilitate
and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the
child and the other parent. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 153.134, Family Code, by adding Subsection (c),
to require the court, in determining which parent to designate as the
conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence
of the child, to give preference to the parent the court determines to be
more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the
other parent and to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing
parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.