Bill streamlining child support services will soon become law
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legislation meant to modernize administrative processes in child support cases will go into effect on September 1st. The bill which will help Texas families struggling with child support challenges was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
Senate Bill 1403 allows the Texas Office of the Attorney General to speed up procedures using e-mail to cut down on unnecessary delays in delivering child support.
“The bill also authorizes that a notice of administrative adjustment may be sent to the last known residence, mailing, or e-mail address provided to the Title IV-D agency or listed in the court order and that sending the notice in the manner authorized satisfies due process requirements for notice and service of process on a party,” said the bill analysis.
The AG’s office will also be able to make relevant information available to families at courthouses and on the agency’s website.
The measure comes after a KXAN investigation highlighted concerns from parents owned billions of dollars in child support. KXAN investigators continue to hear from impacted families looking for solutions to help with their cases.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, authored the legislation which would also expand the agency’s authority to file investigation reports on a person’s financial information required to calculate support.
“The bill establishes evidentiary standards for the record and authorizes a respondent to offer controverting income information,” according to the bill analysis.
KXAN investigators reached out to the AG’s office to find out how it will start implementing the law but has not gotten a response back yet.
