BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 822

By: Rodríguez

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Amicus attorneys, guardians ad litem, and attorneys ad litem are often appointed to represent a child in an action or assist the court in making certain determinations. There is concern that there are inconsistencies regarding the definition and applicability of these terms in the Family Code. S.B. 822 seeks to address these concerns. 

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

S.B. 822 amends the Family Code to make the definitions in statutory provisions governing the parent-child relationship and suits affecting the parent-child relationship applicable to terms used in statutory provisions governing the child in relation to the family, unless the meaning differs, in which case the meaning for a term provided by statutory provisions governing the child in relation to the family prevails. The bill makes statutory provisions relating to special appointments and social studies applicable to the appointment of an attorney ad litem, a guardian ad litem, or an amicus attorney under statutory provisions governing the child in relation to the family.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.