HBA-LJP, AMW H.B. 872 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 872 By: Dutton Juvenile Justice & Family Issues 3/4/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a parent or other person who has the duty of control and reasonable discipline of a child is liable for any property damages proximately caused by the child, but is not liable for personal injury damages proximately caused by the child. House Bill 872 holds a parent or other person who has the duty of control and reasonable discipline of a child liable for personal injury damages proximately caused by 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 872 amends the Family Code to provide that a parent or other person who has the duty of control and reasonable discipline of a child is liable for any personal injury proximately caused by the child if the injury is reasonably attributable to the negligent failure of the parent or other person to exercise that duty. The bill specifies that recovery for a personal injury caused by a child is limited to actual damages, court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and exemplary damages not to exceed $25,000. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.