BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 969

By: Cook

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the interference of other parties in a child custody order. Law enforcement sometimes has difficulty enforcing child custody arrangements, and stakeholders assert that an alternative enforcement mechanism may improve compliance with those arrangements. H.B. 969 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing a municipality to adopt an ordinance or order that imposes a civil penalty of not more than $500 for interfering with child custody.

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. 969 amends the Family Code to authorize a municipality or county to adopt an ordinance or order that imposes a civil penalty of not more than $500 for engaging in conduct that constitutes an offense of interference with child custody.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.