By: Huffman, Zaffirini S.B. No. 567
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the powers and duties of a domestic relations office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 203.004(a), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 203.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) A domestic relations
office may:
(1) collect and disburse child support payments that
are ordered by a court to be paid through a domestic relations
registry;
(2) maintain records of payments and disbursements
made under Subdivision (1);
(3) file a suit under this title, including a suit to:
(A) establish paternity; and
(B) enforce, clarify or modify a court order for
child support or for possession of and access to a child; [and
[(C) modify or clarify an existing child support
order;]
(4) provide an informal forum in which alternative
dispute resolution is used to resolve disputes under this code;
(5) prepare a court-ordered child custody evaluation
or adoption evaluation under Chapter 107;
(6) represent a child as an amicus attorney, an
attorney ad litem, or a guardian ad litem in a suit in which:
(A) termination of the parent-child relationship
is sought; or
(B) conservatorship of or access to a child is
contested;
(7) serve as a friend of the court;
(8) provide predivorce counseling ordered by a court;
(9) provide community supervision services under
Chapter 157;
(10) provide information to assist a party in
understanding, complying with, or enforcing the party's duties and
obligations under this code [Subdivision (3)];
(11) provide, directly or through a contract,
visitation services, including supervision of court-ordered
visitation, visitation exchange, or other similar services;
(12) issue an administrative writ of withholding under
Subchapter F, Chapter 158; and
(13) provide parenting coordinator services under
Chapter 153.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.