HBA-LJP H.B. 3666 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3666
By: Miller
Judicial Affairs
67/3/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, a county court at law in Erath County did
not have concurrent  jurisdiction with the district court to hear cases
involving matters in which a governmental entity files suit to protect the
health and safety of a child.  In Erath County, cases related to the
custody of a child by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
were under the jurisdiction of the district court, but when the district
court judge was unavailable there was no alternative venue for such cases.
House Bill 3666 provides that the county court at law in Erath County has
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in proceedings relating to
the custody, care, or control of a child by the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services. 

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 3666 amends the Government Code to provide that a county court
at law in Erath County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
in proceedings in which the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services has assumed the care, custody, and control of a child. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.