SRC-AXB S.B. 1394 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1394
76R8508  MCK-DBy: Brown
Jurisprudence
4/15/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, it is common for possession orders not to include specific
provisions regarding access to a child over the telephone.  S.B. 1394
requires a child's possessory conservator to have access to the child
through weekly telephone conversations. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1394 requires a child's possessory conservator to have
access to the child through weekly telephone conversations. 

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 Chapter 153F, Family Code, by adding Section 153.318, as
follows: 

Sec.  153.318.  TELEPHONE ACCESS.  Requires the court to order the
possessory conservator's access to the child on the telephone.  Sets forth
required specifics of the telephone access.  Requires the court to order
the child's managing conservator to have a telephone message recording
device or service, unless the managing conservator can show that the
requirements would cause undue financial hardship. 

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

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.