86R4554 YDB-F
 
  By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 560
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a plan and report on court-ordered representation for
  certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 71, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 71.0355 to read as follows:
         Sec. 71.0355.  PLAN AND REPORT ON COURT-ORDERED
  REPRESENTATION. (a) The council shall develop a statewide plan
  requiring counties and courts in this state to report information
  on court-ordered representation for appointments made in suits
  affecting the parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B,
  Chapter 107, Family Code. In developing the plan, the council must
  consider the costs to counties of implementing the plan and design
  the plan to reduce redundant reporting.
         (b)  Not later than November 1 of each odd-numbered year and
  in the form and manner prescribed in the plan, each district or
  county clerk serving a court subject to the plan shall prepare and
  provide to the council:
               (1)  a copy of all formal and informal rules and forms
  the court uses to appoint representation in suits affecting the
  parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B, Chapter 107,
  Family Code; and
               (2)  any fee schedule the court uses for court-ordered
  representation. 
         (c)  Each county auditor, or other individual designated by
  the commissioners court of a county, shall prepare and send to the
  council in the form and manner prescribed in the plan information on
  the money spent by the county during the preceding state fiscal year
  to provide court-ordered representation in suits affecting the
  parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B, Chapter 107,
  Family Code. The information must include:
               (1)  the total amount of money spent by the county to
  provide court-ordered representation services; and
               (2)  of the money spent under Subdivision (1), the
  amount of money spent:
                     (A)  for appointments in each district court,
  county court, statutory county court, and appellate court in the
  county;
                     (B)  for appointments of private attorneys for
  indigent defendants; 
                     (C)  for appointments of public defenders for
  indigent defendants; and
                     (D)  for investigation, expert witness, or other
  litigation expenses.
         (d)  Each district and county clerk serving a court subject
  to the plan and each county auditor, or other individual designated
  by the commissioners court of a county, shall provide to the council
  the information required under the plan and this section.
         (e)  The council annually shall:
               (1)  compile in a report the information submitted to
  the council under the plan and this section;
               (2)  submit the report compiled under Subdivision (1)
  to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives; and
               (3)  electronically publish the report compiled under
  Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 2.  (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the Texas Judicial Council shall develop the plan
  required by Section 71.0355, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 71.0355, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, a county or court in this state is not required to
  comply with that section until September 1, 2020, or a later date
  provided in the plan developed under that section.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.