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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the preparation of a child impact statement for a bill |
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or joint resolution considered by the legislature. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 319, Government Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 319. MISCELLANEOUS IMPACT STATEMENTS [LEGISLATION
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REGARDING JUDICIAL SYSTEM] |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 319, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter A to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER A. LEGISLATION AFFECTING CHILDREN |
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Sec. 319.001. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "joint |
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resolution" means a joint resolution proposing a constitutional |
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amendment. |
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Sec. 319.002. CHILD IMPACT STATEMENTS. (a) The Legislative |
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Budget Board shall prepare a child impact statement for each bill or |
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joint resolution other than an appropriations bill. |
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(b) The child impact statement must contain the information |
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specified by Subsection (c) and any additional information |
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specified by a rule or resolution adopted by either house of the |
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legislature. |
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(c) The child impact statement shall state whether: |
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(1) children's emotional, physical, intellectual, and |
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financial needs and access to resources will be affected by the |
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proposed bill or joint resolution; |
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(2) specific groups of children will be impacted more |
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than others by the proposed bill or joint resolution; and |
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(3) the proposed bill or joint resolution will have an |
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impact on the ability of parents and caregivers to ensure |
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children's emotional, physical, intellectual, and financial |
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well-being. |
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Sec. 319.003. ASSISTANCE BY OTHER AGENCIES. Each board, |
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commission, office, or other agency in the executive or legislative |
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branch of state government shall provide the Legislative Budget |
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Board with any assistance or information the board requests in |
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preparing a child impact statement. |
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Sec. 319.004. ATTACHMENT TO BILL OR RESOLUTION. (a) The |
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child impact statement must be attached to the bill or joint |
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resolution before a committee hearing on the bill or joint |
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resolution may be conducted. |
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(b) The child impact statement must be attached to the |
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committee report of the bill or joint resolution and to all |
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subsequent printings. |
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(c) The child impact statement must remain with the bill or |
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joint resolution throughout the legislative process, including on |
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submission to the governor. |
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SECTION 3. Section 319.021, Government Code, is designated |
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as Subchapter B, Chapter 319, Government Code, and a heading to that |
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subchapter is added to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER B. LEGISLATION REGARDING JUDICIAL SYSTEM |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |