HBA-AMW H.B. 2610 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2610 By: Bonnen Juvenile Justice & Family Issues 3/18/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the language used within the Penal Code pertaining to criminal penalties for nonsupport of a child is not gender-neutral and may be interpreted as being biased against a father. House Bill 2610 replaces masculine terminology in certain provisions relating to child support with gender-neutral terminology. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2610 amends the Penal Code to replace masculine terminology in provisions relating to criminal nonsupport of a child with gender-neutral terminology. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.