By Lucio S.B. No. 1417 76R9410 JMM-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the authority of the Title IV-D agency to offer direct 1-3 deposit of child support payments to obligees. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 234, Family Code, as added 1-6 by Chapter 911, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1-7 1997, is amended by adding Section 234.006 to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 234.006. DIRECT DEPOSIT OF CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS. (a) 1-9 The state disbursement unit authorized under this subchapter may 1-10 transmit a child support payment to an obligee by electronic funds 1-11 transfer if the obligee maintains an account with a financial 1-12 institution. 1-13 (b) The workgroup convened under this subchapter may develop 1-14 a plan to assist an obligee who does not have an account with a 1-15 financial institution to obtain an account. 1-16 (c) The workgroup may determine whether it is feasible and 1-17 cost-effective for the state to administer an electronic benefits 1-18 transfer system for child support obligees and may consider 1-19 proposals from financial institutions to administer the system. 1-20 (d) After receiving any recommendations by the workgroup 1-21 under Subsection (c) and complying with applicable notice and 1-22 bidding requirements, the Title IV-D agency may contract with a 1-23 suitable financial institution for the administration of an 1-24 electronic benefits transfer system. 2-1 (e) The workgroup may establish procedures to administer its 2-2 duties under this section. 2-3 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-4 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-5 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.