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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the reduction and confirmation of child support |
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arrearages and an incentive program to encourage payment of |
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arrearages. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 157.263, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) In rendering a money judgment under this section, the |
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court may not reduce or modify the amount of child support |
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arrearages but, in confirming the amount of arrearages, may allow a |
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counterclaim or offset as provided by this title. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 231, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 231.124 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 231.124. CHILD SUPPORT ARREARAGES PAYMENT INCENTIVE |
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PROGRAM. (a) The Title IV-D agency may establish and administer a |
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payment incentive program to promote payment by obligors who are |
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delinquent in satisfying child support arrearages assigned to the |
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Title IV-D agency under Section 231.104(a). |
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(b) A program established under this section must provide to |
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a participating obligor a credit for every dollar amount paid by the |
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obligor on interest and arrearages balances during each month of |
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the obligor's voluntary enrollment in the program. In establishing |
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a program under this section, the Title IV-D agency by rule must |
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prescribe: |
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(1) criteria for a child support obligor's initial |
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eligibility to participate in the program; |
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(2) the conditions for a child support obligor's |
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continued participation in the program; |
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(3) procedures for enrollment in the program; and |
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(4) the terms of the financial incentives to be |
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offered under the program. |
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(c) The Title IV-D agency shall provide eligible obligors |
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with notice of the program and enrollment instructions. |
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SECTION 3. Section 157.262, Family Code, is repealed. |
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SECTION 4. Subsection (b-1), Section 157.263, Family Code, |
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as added by this Act, applies to a motion for enforcement of child |
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support that is pending before a trial court on or filed on or after |
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the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |