SRC-AXB H.B. 1348 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1348
76R5141  KLA-DBy: Goodman (Harris)
Jurisprudence
4/9/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, a decedent's estate is prioritized with confinement costs
related to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and claims for
repayment of medical assistance, ahead of claims for child support.
Consequently, claims against a decedent's estate for delinquent child
support fall in the very lowest, "catch-all" category, where there is
insufficient money to cover all these claims.  H.B. 1348 prioritizes claims
for child support payments ahead of claims for confinement costs and
medical assistance against a decedent's estate. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1348 places claims for child support payments ahead of
claims for confinement costs and medical assistance against a decedent's
estate. 

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 322, Texas Probate Code, to provide that claims
for certain amounts of money for child support issues that have been
confirmed under Chapter 157F, Family Code, are prioritized as Class 5, in a
list of claims against a decedent's estate.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.