LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 9, 2005

TO:	Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB252 by Goodman (Relating to the use of parenting plans and parenting coordinators in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.), As Engrossed

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add Subchapter J to Chapter 153, Family Code, to create another method of alternative dispute resolution in suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Specifically, the bill would enable courts to call on "parenting coordinators" to assist parties in resolving issues related to parenting so that the courts would have fewer disputed issues to address. The proposed new Subchapter J would not apply to Title IV-D cases relating to the determination of parentage or establishment, modification, or enforcement of a child support or medical support obligation.

Language in the bill states that public funds may not be used to pay the fees of a parenting coordinator; therefore, the bill would have no fiscal impact on the State.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 530 Department of Family and Protective Services

LBB Staff:

JOB, DLBa, KJG, LB, KF