Texas House Bill HB175

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

• Filed: 8/15/25

Caption

Relating to a court order for retroactive child support, including for retroactive child support beginning on the date of the child's conception.

Impact

The bill's implementation would have a significant impact on how child support is adjudicated in Texas. By allowing courts to factor the period starting from conception into support calculations, HB 175 may increase the financial obligations for those deemed responsible for child support. It could potentially incentivize earlier acknowledgment of paternity and the associated responsibilities, thereby addressing the needs of expectant mothers and their children right from conception, which is often a contentious point in family law cases.

Summary

House Bill 175 aims to amend the Texas Family Code regarding retroactive child support, focusing specifically on support obligations that can be established from the point of conception of a child. The bill stipulates that it is presumed reasonable and in the best interests of the child for courts to order retroactive child support starting from the earliest possible date of conception, determined by medical evidence or other evidence presented in court. This seeks to provide clarity and direction in cases where support obligations are contested, particularly addressing the rights of children for financial support from the moment of conception.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HB 175, particularly regarding its implications for fathers who contest paternity or those who may be unprepared for the financial obligations that could arise retroactively. Opponents might argue that applying child support retroactively from conception could be unfair and burdensome, especially if the biological father was unaware of the pregnancy or paternity prior to a court order. Advocates for the bill may counter that it establishes necessary protections for children’s rights to financial support from their biological parents, thereby prioritizing the welfare of children in legal proceedings.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Family Code

• Chapter 154. Child Support
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 160. Uniform Parentage Act
  • Section: 636