HBA-KDB H.B. 1560 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1560 By: Chavez Judicial Affairs 3/16/2001 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The office of the attorney general prints many publications including newsletters, handbooks, special reports, and brochures on such topics as consumer protection, child support, and victims of crime. Currently, the language used in these publications is not gender neutral and may be interpreted as being biased against either sex. House Bill 1560 requires the office of the attorney general to use gender-neutral terminology in any publication distributed by the office to the public. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 1560 amends the Government Code to require the office of the attorney general to use genderneutral terminology in any publication distributed by the office to the public, including any publication related to child support enforcement. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1 changes the effective date to January 1, 2002.