By Harris                                              S.B. No. 233
         77R2925 MCK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to parental liability for the conduct of a child.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 41.001, Family Code, is amended to read
 1-5     as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 41.001.  LIABILITY.  A parent or other person who has
 1-7     the duty of control and reasonable discipline of a child is liable
 1-8     for any property damage proximately caused by:
 1-9                 (1)  the negligent conduct of the child if the conduct
1-10     is reasonably attributable to the negligent failure of the parent
1-11     or other person [persons] to exercise that duty; or
1-12                 (2)  the wilful and malicious conduct of a child who is
1-13     at least 10 [12] years of age but under 18 years of age.
1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-15     applies only to property damage that occurs on or after that date.
1-16     Property damage that occurs before the effective date of this Act
1-17     is governed by the law as it existed on the date the damage
1-18     occurred, and the former law is continued in effect for that
1-19     purpose.