HBA-SEP, CBW H.B. 591 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 591
By: Goodman
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
6/5/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a parent who fails to provide court-ordered health
insurance for a child is liable for the child's necessary medical expenses.
Often, when the obligated parent fails to provide health insurance, the
other parent insures the child and incurs the cost of premiums.  House Bill
591 expands the liability for a parent ordered to provide health insurance
and who fails to do so to include the cost of health insurance premiums or
contributions incurred on behalf of the child.   

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 591 amends the Family Code to expand the liability for a parent
ordered to provide health insurance and who fails to do so to include the
cost of health insurance premiums or contributions, if any, paid on behalf
of the child. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.