Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1086 by Campbell (Relating to a parent's right to view the body of a deceased child before an autopsy is performed.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to add a parental right to view the body of a deceased child before an autopsy is performed unless a prosecuting attorney or the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) obtains a court order to prevent or postpone the viewing. The bill would authorize a prosecutor to file an application for such an order if a parent is a suspect in the child's death, or DFPS to file the application under certain circumstances. The Office of Court Administration indicates that to the extent the bill would amend court procedures, no fiscal implication to the court system is anticipated. DFPS indicates the agency can implement bill provisions within existing resources.
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