Honorable Victoria Neave, Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3009 by Ramos (Relating to child custody evaluations.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Family Code to provide that in appointing a child custody evaluator in a suit in which a party subject to the child custody evaluation does not speak English as a primary language, the court must ensure the evaluator is able to effectively communicate in the party's primary language or will be accompanied by a certified interpreter.
The bill would provide that a licensed or certified interpreter assisting a child custody evaluator may accompany the evaluator in person or assist through the use of audio or video conferencing technology. The bill would allow a court to require the parties to pay any costs associated with obtaining assistance for a child custody evaluator from a licensed or certified interpreter.
Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated as a result from implementing the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.