82R1706 KSD-D By: McClendon H.B. No. 2918 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to debt collection for unpaid child support against student financial assistance proceeds. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 56.005 to read as follows: Sec. 56.005. DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROCEEDS FOR UNPAID CHILD SUPPORT PROHIBITED; REQUIRED NOTICE REGARDING RISK OF COMMINGLING STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROCEEDS WITH OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS. (a) In this section, "account" and "financial institution" have the meanings assigned by Section 157.311, Family Code. (b) To the extent permitted under federal law, student financial assistance proceeds received by a student, including student loan, grant, and scholarship proceeds, are exempt from debt collection to satisfy a judgment for unpaid child support under Subchapter F, Chapter 157, Family Code. (c) Student loan lenders, student loan guarantors, and financial aid offices of institutions of higher education shall make diligent efforts to notify a student financial assistance recipient that: (1) under federal law, assets of a child support obligor held in an account in a financial institution are subject to debt collection to satisfy a judgment for unpaid child support under Subchapter F, Chapter 157, Family Code; and (2) the commingling of the recipient's student financial assistance proceeds with other money in an account may subject those proceeds to debt collection for the purpose described by Subdivision (1). SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.