Texas House Bill HB2953

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration of and certain procedures under the Title IV-D program for child support enforcement.

Impact

The modifications introduced by HB 2953 enhance the efficiency of child support enforcement by requiring that child support orders include specific information. The bill empowers the Title IV-D agency to contract with counties that meet federal technical requirements, extending child support services more uniformly across the state. This means that the availability and consistency of child support enforcement services could improve significantly, thereby aiding custodial parents in receiving timely and accurate support for their children.

Summary

House Bill 2953 pertains to the administration of the Title IV-D program, which is crucial for child support enforcement in Texas. The bill proposes several amendments to the Family Code, specifically focusing on how child support orders are recorded, reviewed, and enforced. This legislation aims to streamline processes associated with child support, ensuring that certain records are officially logged into the state case registry and that there is clear communication between the Title IV-D agency and the court clerks regarding these records.

Contention

While the bill is primarily aimed at enhancing regulations around child support, some concerns may arise regarding the implications of allowing electronic signatures and digitized processes in legal documents. There may be apprehension about ensuring the security and authenticity of these digital signatures and the potential for misuse or unauthorized agreements. Additionally, the focus on streamlining procedures could be seen as undermining the role of local courts or providing less individualized attention to specific cases that might need it.