SRC-LBB H.B. 2856 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2856
78R10624 JMM-DBy: Farrar (Gallegos)
Jurisprudence
5/22/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently a  Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is authorized to "assess and
collect a monthly service fee not to exceed $3 to be paid annually in
advance by a managing conservator and possessory conservator for whom the
domestic relations office provides services."  With this fee, the DRO
keeps a record of all Suits Affecting the Parent Child Relationship
(SAPCR) including but not limited to:  child support obligations,
visitation orders, appointment of a guardian ad litem, protective order
information, data on parents and children, copies of pay records,
mediation records, start and end date of the order, wage
withholding/employer information and location information needed for
enforcement of orders.  

This  fee is difficult to collect because the DRO has no collection power
other than distribution of billing.  H.B. 2856 authorizes the enforcement
for collection of certain fees by a DRO against an obligor and obligee by
any method available for the enforcement of child support. 

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 203.005, Family Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (e), as follows: 

(a)  Adds the words "child support" to describe the type of services
provided  by a domestic relations office in relation to a monthly service
fee.   

(e)  Provides that a fee authorized by this section for providing child
support services is part of the child support obligation and may be
enforced against both an obligor and obligee by any method available for
the enforcement of child support, including contempt. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.