SRC-PNG S.B. 34 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 34
76R1837 DLF-DBy: Shapiro
Economic Development
3/16/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, volunteer centers are nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose
primary purpose is to recruit and refer individuals for other nonprofit
groups in an area.  In order to protect charity organizations from the
threat of expensive lawsuits, in 1987 the Texas Legislature passed the
Texas Charitable Immunities Act (Act). The Act put a $1 million dollar cap
on damages in suits against charitable organizations.   However, it was
unclear whether volunteer centers were covered under this legislation.
This bill includes volunteer centers among the protected organizations of
the Charitable Immunities Act. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 34 limits the liability of certain volunteer centers.

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 84.003(1), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to
redefine "charitable organization" to include a volunteer center, as that
term is defined by Section 411.126, Government Code.  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.