HBA-BSM S.B. 619 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 619
By: Van de Putte
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
3/25/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, in a suit in which adoption is requested or possession
of or access to the child is an issue and in which the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services is not a party to the suit, a court is
required to appoint a private agency or person to conduct a social study of
the child and of the home of any person requesting possession of the child.
Senate Bill 619 includes a domestic relations office as an agency that is
authorized to be appointed by a court to conduct such a social study. 

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

Senate Bill 619 amends the Family Code to provide that a court may appoint
a domestic relations office to conduct a social study into the
circumstances and condition of a child and of the home of any person
requesting managing conservatorship or possession of the child in a suit
affecting the parent-child relationship.  The bill requires the domestic
relations office to charge a fee to cover the cost of the social study. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.