Texas House Bill HB983

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the prosecution of the offense of criminal nonsupport.

Impact

The legislation's amendment is expected to strengthen the enforcement of child support payments. By specifying the criteria under which failure to pay constitutes a criminal offense, HB 983 aims to deter parents from ignoring their financial responsibilities towards their children. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of timely payments and lays out a clear framework for prosecuting instances of nonsupport, which could lead to increased compliance with child support orders.

Summary

House Bill 983 seeks to amend the Penal Code regarding the offense of criminal nonsupport. It specifically addresses situations where an individual fails to provide court-ordered support for their child. The bill clarifies the circumstances under which an individual is deemed to have knowingly failed to provide such support. Notably, it establishes that a failure to make a child support payment becomes a criminal offense if the individual either intentionally or knowingly neglects their obligations as per a court order.

Contention

While the bill aims to support children's rights to financial support, there could be concerns regarding its implications on non-custodial parents. Critics may argue that the legal threshold for what constitutes 'knowingly failing to provide support' might be difficult to ascertain, potentially leading to unfair prosecutions. Additionally, there may be debates about how this change might affect families dealing with financial hardships, as some individuals may genuinely struggle to meet their obligations for various reasons.