BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 890

By: Naishtat

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 1993, provisions of the Government Code and the Health and Safety Code were amended to include the position of "master" to serve as a judicial officer for a court-ordered mental health proceeding. When the position was created, the term "master" was in consistent use in other court proceedings, such as a family court master or tax master. However, the term is no longer consistent with similar judicial positions in other areas of the law. Over time, the term "master" has been changed to "associate judge," and participants in court-ordered mental health proceedings refer to the presiding judicial officer as "judge" rather than as "master."

H.B. 890 eliminates the use of the term "master" and substitutes the term "associate judge" when referring to a judge who presides over a proceeding for court-ordered mental health services.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 890 amends the Government Code and Health and Safety Code to change from "master" to "associate judge" references in law describing an associate judge appointed to preside over a court-ordered mental health services proceeding.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.