SRC-LBB S.B. 1665 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1665
By: Averitt
Jurisprudence
4/4/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a law enforcement officer is authorized to take custody of a
child without a court order under certain circumstances.  Once the law
enforcement officer takes temporary custody of a child, the officer the
maintains temporary custody until Child Protective Services (CPS) or the
responsible party takes custody of the child.  During this interim, the
officer is removed from law enforcement duties and emergency response
services.  As proposed, S.B. 1665 authorizes civilian employees or
volunteers of law enforcement agencies to assist police officers with the
temporary care of a child until further arrangements regarding the child's
custody can be made. 

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 Chapter 262.001(c), Family Code, to authorize civilian
employees or volunteers of law enforcement agencies to aid or assist
police officers with the temporary care of children until further
arrangements regarding the child's custody can be made. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.