1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to the application for mental retardation services by a

 1-3     guardian and to eligibility for guardianship.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 593.021, Health and Safety Code, is

 1-6     amended to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 593.021.  Application for Voluntary Services.  (a)  The

 1-8     proposed client or[,] the parent if the proposed client is a

 1-9     minor[, or the guardian of the person] may apply for voluntary

1-10     mental retardation services under Section 593.022, 593.026,

1-11     593.027, 593.0275, or 593.028 [593.024].

1-12           (b)  The guardian of the proposed client may apply for

1-13     services under this subchapter under Section 593.022, 593.027,

1-14     593.0275, or 593.028.

1-15           SECTION 2.  Section 691, Texas Probate Code, is repealed.

1-16           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997, and

1-17     applies only to an application for mental retardation services made

1-18     on or after that date.

1-19           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-20     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-21     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-22     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-23     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 3135 was passed by the House on May

         2, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 3135 was passed by the Senate on May

         22, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor