By: Harris S.B. No. 716
(Jackson)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the periodic review of the child support guidelines.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 111.001, Family Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 111.001. REVIEW OF GUIDELINES. (a) Prior to each
regular legislative session, the standing committees of each house
of the legislature having jurisdiction over family law issues shall
review and, if necessary, recommend revisions to the guidelines for
possession of and access to a child under Chapter 153 [and for
support of a child under Chapter 154]. The committee shall report
the results of the review and shall include any recommended
revisions in the committee's report to the legislature.
(b) At least once every four years [Not later than December
1 of each even-numbered year], the Title IV-D agency shall review
the child support guidelines under Chapter 154 as required by 42
U.S.C. Section 667(a) and report the results of the review and any
recommendations for any changes to the guidelines and their manner
of application [submit a report] to the standing committees of each
house of the legislature having jurisdiction over family law issues
[for use by the committee in conducting the review required by
Subsection (a). The report must contain:
[(1) economic data obtained from the United States
Department of Agriculture on the cost of raising children;
[(2) an analysis of case data on the application of and
deviations from the child support guidelines; and
[(3) a summary of any federal legislation enacted
since the date of the last review].
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2013, the Title IV-D
agency shall submit the initial report required by Subsection (b),
Section 111.001, Family Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.