S.B. No. 1437

AN ACT

relating to the powers of an associate judge in a Title IV-D case.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subsection (e), Section 201.104, Family Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) Notwithstanding Subsection (d) and subject to Section 201.1042(g), an associate judge may hear and render an order on:

(1) a suit to modify or clarify an existing child support order;

(2) a motion to enforce a child support order or revoke a respondent's community supervision and suspension of commitment; [or]

(3) a respondent's compliance with the conditions provided in the associate judge's report for suspension of the respondent's commitment; or

(4) a motion for postjudgment relief, including a motion for a new trial or to vacate, correct, or reform a judgment, if neither party has requested a de novo hearing before the referring court.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a Title IV-D case referred to an associate judge under Subchapter B, Chapter 201, Family Code, on or after the effective date of this Act. A Title IV-D case referred to an associate judge before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the case was referred, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1437 passed the Senate on April 16, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1437 passed the House on May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor