Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3284 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		89R9254 KRM-F
2		-	By: Frank~~, Dutton, et al.~~ H.B. No. 3284
	2	+	By: Frank H.B. No. 3284
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7	7		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8		AN ACT
9	9		relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Marriage and
10	10		Family.
11	11		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12		SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the
13	13		Texas Commission on Marriage and Family.
14	14		SECTION 2. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that:
15	15		(1) it is in the best interests of this state to
16	16		promote lasting marriage and the practice of raising children in
17	17		stable, two-parent households;
18	18		(2) Texas must promote evidence-based pathways to
19	19		support strong and healthy family connections by reducing barriers
20	20		that prevent Texans from marrying and raising children;
21	21		(3) certain state laws, rules, and policies may
22	22		discourage the positive and desirable ends of marriage and family
23	23		formation; and
24	24		(4) it is necessary to convene a commission to:
25	25		(A) study and develop strategies to promote
26	26		strong marriages and healthy families; and
27	27		(B) identify state laws, rules, and policies that
28	28		discourage Texans from marrying and raising children.
29	29		SECTION 3. PURPOSE. The commission is created to study and
30	30		develop strategies for promoting strong marriages and healthy
31	31		families and to make recommendations to the legislature to advance
32	32		the goal of creating an environment in this state that is favorable
33	33		for marriage and raising children.
34	34		SECTION 4. COMPOSITION. (a) The commission is composed of
35	35		seven members as follows:
36	36		(1) three members appointed by the governor;
37	37		(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
38	38		and
39	39		(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
40	40		of representatives.
41	41		(b) In making the appointments under Subsection (a) of this
42	42		section, an appointing authority shall ensure the commission is
43	43		composed of members with a background and demonstrated expertise in
44	44		marriage and family formation, including:
45	45		(1) child and family counselors;
46	46		(2) child development experts;
47	47		(3) community-based nonprofit organization leaders
48	48		who work to promote healthy marriages and parenting;
49	49		(4) published researchers in the subjects of marriage,
50	50		parenting, and the benefits of strong and stable families in
51	51		society; and
52	52		(5) members of the clergy.
53	53		(c) The governor shall appoint one member of the commission
54	54		to serve as the commission's presiding officer.
55	55		SECTION 5. MEETINGS. (a) The commission shall meet at the
56	56		call of the commission's presiding officer.
57	57		(b) A meeting conducted under this section may be held in
58	58		person, by telephone, or by other means of communication.
59	59		(c) All commission meetings shall be open to the public.
60	60		(d) A member of the commission serves without compensation
61	61		but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses
62	62		incurred in performing official duties.
63	63		SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The Health and Human
64	64		Services Commission shall provide administrative support services
65	65		at the request of the commission, including the provision of
66	66		meeting space and assistance in drafting and compiling the report
67	67		required by this Act.
68	68		SECTION 7. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. The commission shall:
69	69		(1) evaluate existing state laws, rules, and policies
70	70		and identify those that discourage Texans from marrying and raising
71	71		children;
72	72		(2) assess the effectiveness of:
73	73		(A) state-funded premarital education programs
74	74		and other initiatives promoting marriage; and
75	75		(B) state-funded programs in encouraging family
76	76		formation and helping parents develop and apply successful
77	77		parenting skills and techniques; and
78	78		(3) make recommendations to the legislature
79	79		regarding:
80	80		(A) necessary changes to state laws, rules, and
81	81		policies that are identified as being detrimental to the promotion
82	82		of lasting marriages, family formation, and child rearing; and
83	83		(B) policies, programs, and strategies to:
84	84		(i) support and increase the formation of
85	85		strong, lasting marriages and healthy family connections; and
86	86		(ii) reduce the incidence of divorce and
87	87		family dissolution.
88	88		SECTION 8. APPOINTMENT. Not later than the 60th day after
89	89		the effective date of this Act, the appropriate appointing
90	90		authority shall appoint the members of the commission as required
91	91		by this Act.
92	92		SECTION 9. REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2026, the
93	93		commission shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
94	94		the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the
95	95		legislature a written report that includes a summary of the
96	96		commission's findings and any legislative recommendations.
97	97		SECTION 10. EXPIRATION. The commission is abolished and
98	98		this Act expires December 31, 2026.
99	99		SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
100	100		immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
101	101		elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
102	102		Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
103	103		immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.