LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 18, 2011

TO:	Honorable Chris Harris, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB905 by Thompson (Relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements of a child in hearings on an application for a protective order.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Family Code to make a child victim of family violence's hearsay statement admissible evidence in a hearing on an application for protective order.  According to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), training for DFPS attorneys, and district and county attorneys who provide representation for child protective services would need to be apprised of the change to rules of evidence in continuing legal education efforts.  To the extent the bill would affect lawyers in this practice area, no significant fiscal implication to training efforts or in court operations is anticipated.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

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

LBB Staff:

JOB, TB, JT