78R7341 KLA-D


By:  Thompson                                                     H.B. No. 2137



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of an administrative writ of withholding 
for the enforcement of a child support obligation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 158, Family 
Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER F.  ADMINISTRATIVE WRIT OF WITHHOLDING

[IN TITLE IV-D CASES]
	SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 158.501, Family Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 158.501.  ISSUANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE WRIT OF 
WITHHOLDING [BY TITLE IV-D AGENCY].
	SECTION 3.  Section 158.501, Family Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), the [The] Title 
IV-D agency is the only entity that may issue an administrative writ 
under this subchapter.
	(d)  A domestic relations office may issue an administrative 
writ of withholding under this chapter in a proceeding in which the 
office is providing child support enforcement services.  A 
reference in this subchapter to the Title IV-D agency includes a 
domestic relations office, except that the writ must be in the form 
prescribed by the Title IV-D agency under Section 158.504.
	SECTION 4.  Section 203.004(a), Family Code, is amended to 
read as follows:  
	(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, including a suit to:                                        
			(A)  establish paternity;                                                    
			(B)  enforce 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:                                      
			(A)  mediation is used to resolve disputes in an 
action under Subdivision (3); or
			(B)  an agreed repayment schedule for delinquent 
child support is negotiated as an alternative to filing a suit to 
enforce a court order for child support under Subdivision (3);
		(5)  prepare a court-ordered social study;                                    
		(6)  represent a child as 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 Subdivision (3); [and]
		(11)  provide, directly or through a contract, 
visitation services, including supervision of court-ordered 
visitation, visitation exchange, or other similar services; and
		(12)  issue an administrative writ of withholding under 
Subchapter F, Chapter 158.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.