SRC-TBR H.B. 1137 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1137
77R4655 KSD-DBy: Menendez (Van de Putte)
Jurisprudence
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, in a suit in which adoption is requested or possession of or
access to the child is an issue and in which the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services is not a party to the suit, a court is required to
appoint a private agency or person to conduct a social study of the child
and of the home of any person requesting possession of the child.  As
proposed, H.B. 1137 adds a domestic relations office as an agency that is
authorized to be appointed by a court to conduct such a social study.  

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 107.051(c), Family Code, to require the court,
in a suit in which adoption is requested or possession of or access to the
child is an issue and in which the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services is not a party, to appoint a private agency or another person,
including a domestic relations office, to conduct the social study. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.