BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1827

By: Lucio III

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that the use of digitized signatures on certain pleadings, motions, and other papers in suits relating to family law is too restricted. H.B. 1827 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1827 amends the Family Code to establish that a digitized signature on an original petition, application, application for a protective order, or other pleading or order in a proceeding under statutory provisions relating to the marriage relationship, the child in relation to the family, and protective orders and family violence, as applicable, satisfies the requirements for and imposes the duties of signatories to pleadings, motions, and other papers identified under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The bill requires such a digitized signature to be applied only by and to remain under the sole control of the person whose signature is represented.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.