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.