HBA-NLM, NLM H.B. 625 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 625 By: Reyna, Arthur Juvenile Justice and Family Issues 2/25/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law provides that the hearing date to finalize an adoption must be held 40 to 60 days after the later of the date a court orders a social study evaluation (regarding the suitability of a prospective adoptive parent) or the date a request for criminal history record information. H.B. 625 makes the latest possible date for a hearing on an adoption 180 days, rather than 60 days, after the social study is ordered or criminal history record information is requested. This bill makes the time period in which the child must reside with the prospective parents before adoption may be finalized to coincide with the necessary length of time to conclude adoption procedures. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 162.004, Family Code, as amended by Section 74, Chapter 751, and Section 1, Chapter 908, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, by reenacting and amending, as follows: Sec. 162.004. TIME FOR HEARING. Increases the latest date for a hearing on an adoption under this chapter to the 180th day after the later of the date the social study is ordered or the date criminal history record information under Section 162.0085 (Criminal History Report Required), rather than the 60th day after. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.