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.