By:  Paxton, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Wentworth)                  H.B. No. 1238
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2005; 
May 13, 2005, read first time and referred to Committee on 
Jurisprudence; May 21, 2005, reported favorably by the following 
vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 21, 2005, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to distribution of certain child support payments by the 
state disbursement unit.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 234.008, Family Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (d), not later 
than the second business day after the date the state disbursement 
unit receives a child support payment, the state disbursement unit 
shall distribute the payment to the Title IV-D agency or the 
obligee.
	(d)  The signature of an obligee on a final order in a suit 
affecting the parent-child relationship, or another order under 
this title, that designates an individual or entity for the purpose 
of receiving, disbursing, and monitoring child support payments 
constitutes written consent by the obligee to the distribution of 
the child support payments by the state disbursement unit to the 
designated individual or entity.  The state disbursement unit shall 
distribute each child support payment to the designated individual 
or entity by the date required by Subsection (a).  The designated 
individual or entity shall deduct any amount of the individual's or 
entity's authorized fee from the payment and promptly disburse the 
remainder of the amount to the Title IV-D agency or obligee.
	SECTION 2.  Section 234.008, Family Code, as amended by this 
Act, applies to a payment distributed by the state disbursement 
unit on or after the effective date of this Act.  A payment 
distributed before that date is governed by the law in effect on the 
date the payment is distributed, and the former law is continued in 
effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           



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