Texas House Bill HB2264

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship and the enforcement of child support.

Impact

This legislation is expected to enhance the efficiency of child support payment processing and enforcement, particularly for cases where the obligor has become incarcerated for extended periods. The bill acknowledges incarceration as a material change of circumstances, which may impact child support obligations. By allowing courts a more structured approach to confirming and enforcing arrearages, the bill aims to reduce the ambiguity in child support judgments that can complicate enforcement. It expands the court's jurisdiction over domestic relations orders, aiming to facilitate the collection of child support through methods including attaching to pensions or retirement benefits.

Summary

House Bill 2264 pertains to the enforcement processes surrounding child support and considerations of suits affecting the parent-child relationship in Texas. The bill introduces changes to various sections of the Family Code, establishing clearer guidelines for when and how child support payments should be made and enforced. Notably, the bill mandates that all maintenance and child support payments should be directed to the state disbursement unit, which centralizes these payments and aligns with existing practices in child support order enforcement.

Contention

Discussions around HB2264 may arise concerning the implications of directing all child support payments through a central unit, which some may perceive as an overreach that diminishes personal oversight in financial arrangements for families. Critics may argue that this centralization could lead to inefficiencies or delays in the processing of payments, which could negatively impact families relying on timely support. Additionally, questions could arise about the balance between judicial oversight and individual rights regarding child support modifications, particularly in the context of how changes in the obligor's circumstances are assessed.