HBA-JRA H.B. 1271 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1271 By: Dutton Juvenile Justice and Family Issues 4/15/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a court may assess the expenses of attorney's fees against either or both parties in a suit for dissolution of marriage. H.B. 1271 provides that, in a suit for dissolution of marriage or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, an award of attorney's fees is not enforceable by contempt of court. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 6, Family Code, by adding Section 6.7085, as follows: Sec. 6.7085. ATTORNEY'S FEES. Provides that an award of attorney's fees in a proceeding under this chapter (Suit for Dissolution of Marriage) is not enforceable by contempt, notwithstanding any other provision of law. SECTION 2. Amends Section 106.002, Family Code, by adding Subsection (c), as follows: (c) Provides that an award of attorney's fees in a proceeding under this title (The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship) is not enforceable by contempt, notwithstanding any other provision of law. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.