Bill to modernize child support services headed to governor
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legislation aimed at helping families dealing with child support challenges passed the Texas House Tuesday.
In a vote of “123 Yea’s,” lawmakers sent the legislation to Governor Greg Abbott. Senate Bill 1403 would allow the Texas Office of the Attorney General to expediate procedures and reduce unnecessary delays in delivering child support services to families.
The legislation authorizes the use of e-mail in administrative processes and requires brochures published by the agency to be accessible at courthouses and on the agency’s website by December 1, so that relevant information is readily available to families.
The bill comes on the heels of a KXAN investigation about parents owed billions of dollars in child support and the challenges they face tracking down delinquent parents.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, authored the legislation, which would also allow the agency to stop enforcement measures for a person in jail for an act of family violence committed against the child. The legislation also expands the agency’s authority to file investigation reports on a person’s financial resources.
West’s office has previously told KXAN investigators that the bill will clean up various technical issues the agency and families have experienced over the last two years related to filings and notices.
If the governor signs the bill into law, it will go into effect on September 1. The Senate bill was considered in lieu of a similar House version.
