SRC-JBJ H.B. 625 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 625 76R8571 CMR-DBy: Reyna, Arthur (Ellis) Jurisprudence 4/22/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the hearing date to finalize an adoption must be held 40 to 60 days after the later of the date a court orders a social study evaluation, or the date of a request for criminal history record information. The court could be authorized to set the hearing at any time before the time provided, if the hearing date provided adequate time for filing the social study evaluation and notifying the court of the criminal history record information for a person seeking to adopt the child. H.B. 625 would delete the provisions allowing for the latest possible date for a hearing on an adoption to be 60 days after the social study is ordered or criminal history record information is requested. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 625 deletes certain requirements relating to the hearing date of an adoption. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Reenacts Section 162.004, Family Code, and amends Sections 162.004(a) and (b), to authorize a court to set a hearing for adoption at any time before the time provided by Subsection (a) if the hearing date provided adequate time for filing a social study and notifying the court of certain criminal history. Deletes the requirement that the court set the date for the hearing on the adoption later than the 60th day after the date of the social study is ordered or date the criminal history is requested. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.