BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3007

By: Ramos

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To be eligible for an annulment of a marriage in Texas on the grounds of fraud, duress, or force, a person must immediately cease cohabitation after learning of the fraud or being released from the duress or force. Given the need to purchase moving materials, secure new accommodations, and arrange for basic necessities, it could cost thousands of dollars up-front for individuals to leave their marriage, which is overly burdensome and makes the immediate ceasing of cohabitation impractical for many Texans. H.B. 3007 seeks to address this issue by giving petitioners up to one year to cease cohabiting with their spouse after learning of the fraud or being released from the duress or force while retaining eligibility for an annulment.

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. 3007 amends the Family Code to revise the conditions under which a court in a suit for a dissolution of a marriage may grant an annulment on the grounds of fraud, duress, or force by allowing the petitioner of the annulment up to one year to cease cohabitation with their spouse after learning of the fraud or being released from the duress or force.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.