SRC-BWC C.S.S.B. 236 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 236
77R2999 DLF-DBy: Harris
Jurisprudence
2/12/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the court is required to enter an order for the medical support
of a child.  Chapter 154 of the Family Code provides the option of the
Texas Healthy Kids Corporation as a potential source of health insurance
coverage, but it does not mention the Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP) as a coverage option.  As proposed, S.B. 236 authorizes the use of
any potential health insurance product, including CHIP, to be considered in
meeting the medical support requirement under the child support system. 

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 Sections 154.182(b) and (c), Family Code, by authorizing
the court to order the obligee to apply for and provide health insurance
for the child, if health insurance is not available for the child through
the obligor's employment but is available for the child through the
obligee's employment or membership in a union, trade association or other
organization, or another source accessible to the obligee, including the
Children's Health Insurance Program.  Deletes text authorizing an obligor
whose employer, union, trade association, or other organization that does
not offer a child coverage option in lieu of a spouse/ child/ children
option of health insurance coverage to elect to apply for coverage through
the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation (THKC).  Deletes text regarding an
obligor required to pay additional child support to an obligee also
applying for such coverage.  Deletes text regarding the amount for
additional medical child support.  Makes conforming changes. 

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

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  C.S.S.B. 236, Section 154.182(b) and (c), Family Code, differs
from the original by: 
 
 _deleting an exception;

 _adding "another source accessible to the obligee, including the
Children's Health Insurance Program" and "apply for" when referring to
where and how an obligee may obtain health insurance for a child; 

 _deleting text regarding an obligor authorized to apply for coverage
through the Texas Health Kids Corporation and one who is required to pay
additional child support to an obligee for health insurance making similar
application; and 

 _deleting text regarding the amount for additional medical child support.