H.B. No. 847
AN ACT
relating to the enforcement of an order to pay child support by
contempt and the awarding of costs and fees in certain proceedings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 157.162(b), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) A finding that the respondent is not in contempt does
not preclude the court from awarding the petitioner court costs and
reasonable attorney's fees or ordering any other enforcement
remedy, including rendering a money judgment, posting a bond or
other security, or withholding income.
SECTION 2. Sections 157.162(d) and (e), Family Code, are
repealed.
SECTION 3. The repeal by this Act of Sections 157.162(d) and
(e), Family Code, applies to a hearing to enforce an order in a suit
affecting the parent-child relationship that commences on or after
the effective date of this Act. A hearing that commences before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the hearing commenced, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. 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, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 847 was passed by the House on April
18, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 847 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor