BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 129

By: Nelson

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Protective orders against family violence can currently only be filed in the county in which the victim resides or the county in which the alleged offender resides. Interested parties assert that giving a victim more options for filing could further protect a victim by not revealing the county to which the victim may have moved. S.B. 129 seeks to amend current law relating to proper venue for filing an application for a protective order against family violence.

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

S.B. 129 amends the Family Code to expand the venue for filing an application for a protective order against family violence to include any county in which the family violence is alleged to have occurred.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.