SRC-BWC H.B. 591 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 591 77R735 QS-DBy: Goodman (Harris) Jurisprudence 4/25/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, a parent who fails to provide court-ordered health insurance for a child is liable for the child's necessary medical expenses. Often, when the obligated parent fails to provide health insurance, the other parent insures the child and incurs the cost of premiums. H.B. 591 expands the liability for a parent ordered to provide health insurance and who fails to do so to include the cost of health insurance premiums or contributions incurred on behalf of the child. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 154.188, Family Code, to provide that a parent ordered to provide health insurance who fails to do so is liable for the cost of health insurance premiums or contributions, if any, paid on behalf of the child. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.