Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1501 by Thompson, Senfronia (Relating to child custody evaluations; creating an offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Family Code to create the role of child custody evaluator in resolving custody disputes. The bill would extend certain authorities and immunities to evaluators, including allowing evaluators access to criminal records. The bill would make reckless disclosure of criminal records by an evaluator a Class A misdemeanor. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration and the Department of Public Safety, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 405 Department of Public Safety