By: Neave H.B. No. 3962
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the powers and duties of a domestic relations office.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 203.004(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 203.004.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (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 under this title, including a suit to:
                     (A)  establish paternity; and
                     (B)  enforce, clarify or modify 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 alternative
  dispute resolution is used to resolve disputes under this code;
               (5)  prepare a court-ordered child custody evaluation
  or adoption evaluation under Chapter 107;
               (6)  represent a child as an amicus attorney, an
  attorney ad litem, or a 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 this CodeSubdivision (3);
               (11)  provide, directly or through a contract,
  visitation services, including supervision of court-ordered
  visitation, visitation exchange, or other similar services;
               (12)  issue an administrative writ of withholding under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 158; and
               (13)  provide parenting coordination services under
  Chapter 153.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.