HBA-BSM H.B. 2158 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2158
By: Thompson
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, the law required that an appeal in a
parental rights termination suit be given precedence over other civil
cases, but did not require the court to accelerate the appeal.  In an
accelerated appeal, briefs and the notice of appeal must be filed within 20
days instead of 30 days of the last action and the clerk and the reporter
must file the record of the appeal within 10 days after the notice rather
than having up to 120 days to file.  If requested, the court is authorized
to hear the appeal on original papers forwarded by the trial court or on
sworn and uncontroverted copies of the papers.  Delay in legal procedures
related to the disposition of cases involving the termination of parental
rights is not in the best interest of the children of this state.  House
Bill 2158 requires appellate courts to accelerate appeals cases in suits in
which termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue. 

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 2158 amends the Family Code to require appellate courts to
accelerate appeal cases in a suit in which termination of the parent-child
relationship is in issue.  The bill provides that the Texas Rules of
Appellate Procedure apply in such cases.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.