SRC-JBJ H.B. 2368 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2368
77R7448 KSD-FBy: George (Shapiro)
Jurisprudence
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, district court judges are authorized to assess
fees for court-ordered social studies in juvenile and family matters.
Dallas County has had a $200 limit on such fees since 1984 and the fees
have not been raised since 1994.  H.B. 2368 removes the $200 limitation on
the fee that may be assessed by certain district court judges in Dallas
County.  

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 152.0635(f), Human Resources Code, to authorize
the judge of a district court in Dallas County that gives preference to
juvenile or family law matters to assess a reasonable fee, rather than a
fee of not more than $200 a case, for adoption, family and home study
investigations ordered by the judge under certain conditions. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.