Texas House Bill HB1671

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to child support funds recovered by the Title IV-D agency on behalf of a child in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Impact

The modifications introduced in HB 1671 amend the Family Code, specifically sections related to cooperation between the Title IV-D agency and DFPS. One notable change is the requirement for a memorandum of understanding between the two entities to facilitate the implementation of these new provisions. This collaboration is aimed at efficiently reallocating recovered child support funds, which in turn can provide additional resources to support children in foster care, enhancing their welfare and stability.

Summary

House Bill 1671 addresses the management of child support funds recovered by the Title IV-D agency on behalf of children who are in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The bill establishes a framework for how excess child support payments, beyond the foster care maintenance payments made by the department, should be handled. It emphasizes the collaboration between the Title IV-D agency and DFPS to ensure that funds are utilized in a manner that is in the best interests of the children involved.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 1671 may highlight concerns regarding the effective use of recovered funds and the administrative capacity of both agencies to manage these changes. There may also be debates over the definition of the 'best interests of the child,' with varying perspectives on how funds should be allocated. The bill aims to streamline this process and ensure that children benefit directly from any excess child support funds that are recovered, but the implications on state regulations surrounding child welfare could be points of contention among stakeholders.