Texas House Bill HB2636

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to court-ordered financial support by parents of an adult with a medically determinable disability.

Impact

The bill modifies several sections of the Texas Family Code, particularly Chapter 154, to create a more structured approach to financial support orders for adults with disabilities. It emphasizes the need for evidence demonstrating the adult's disability and the associated care requirements to establish support. This change is intended to minimize discrepancies among courts in Texas about the financial responsibilities of parents towards their adult children with disabilities, ultimately providing clearer expectations for both parents and beneficiaries.

Summary

House Bill 2636 establishes guidelines for court-ordered financial support for adults with medically determinable disabilities, specifically those who require substantial care and supervision. The bill aims to clarify and regulate the obligation of parents regarding financial support, ensuring that these obligations align with both state and federal laws, such as the Social Security Act. The definitions and standards from this act will guide the support obligations as they pertain to adults who may not be capable of self-support due to their disabilities.

Contention

Notably, there are points of contention regarding the degree of financial responsibility placed on parents and how courts determine the level of support necessary. The bill's emphasis on compliance with federal standards underscores a challenge in maintaining both sufficient support for adults with disabilities while also ensuring that parents are not unduly burdened by financial obligations that might exceed their capacity. Some may argue that the standards for what constitutes a medically determinable disability must be tightly defined to avoid placing excessive demands on families.