SRC-VRA H.B. 886 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 886
78R367 JMM-FBy: Dutton (Averitt)
Jurisprudence
5/5/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law requires a respondent who fails to make child support
payments to pay the movant's reasonable attorney's fees and all court
costs in addition to the arrearage.  Presently, there is no provision for
the awarding of attorney's fees when a parent is deprived of possession of
or access to a child.  H.B. 886 authorizes the awarding of attorney's fees
when a court finds that the respondent has failed to comply with an order
of possession of or access to a child.   

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 157.167, Family Code, as follows:

(b)  Requires the court, if the court finds that the respondent has failed
to comply with the terms of an order providing for the possession of or
access to a child, to order the respondent to pay the movant's reasonable
attorney's fees and all court costs in addition to any other remedy. 

 (c)  Created from existing text.

 (d)  Redesignates original Subsection (c) as (d).  Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.