Bill Text: TX SB870 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to certain Title IV-D cases and other cases with respect to child support or Title IV-D agency services and to practices and procedures for the operation of the Title IV-D agency.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-23 - Effective on 9/1/23 [SB870 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB870-Enrolled.html
 
 
  S.B. No. 870
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain Title IV-D cases and other cases with respect to
  child support or Title IV-D agency services and to practices and
  procedures for the operation of the Title IV-D agency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 355.102(e), Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  Class 4 claims are composed of claims:
               (1)  for the principal amount of and accrued interest
  on delinquent child support and child support arrearages that have
  been:
                     (A)  confirmed as a judgment or a determination of
  arrearages by a court under Title 5, Family Code; or
                     (B)  administratively determined as evidenced by
  a certified child support payment record produced by the Title IV-D
  agency, as defined by Section 101.033, Family Code, in a Title IV-D
  case, as defined by Section 101.034, Family Code; and
               (2)  for unpaid child support obligations under Section
  154.015, Family Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 154.004, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:
         (a)  The court shall order the payment of child support,
  medical support, and dental support to the state disbursement unit
  as provided by Chapter 234.
         (b)  In a Title IV-D case, the court or the Title IV-D agency
  shall order that income withheld for child support, medical
  support, and dental support be paid to the state disbursement unit
  of this state or, if appropriate, to the state disbursement unit of
  another state.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 154, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 154.017 to read as follows:
         Sec. 154.017.  EMPLOYMENT SERVICES-RELATED ORDERS FOR
  UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED OBLIGORS.  (a)  When establishing,
  modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation, a court or
  Title IV-D agency may render an order requiring an unemployed or
  underemployed obligor to:
               (1)  enroll and participate fully in a program
  available in the obligor's community that provides employment
  assistance, skills training, or job placement services; or
               (2)  work, have a plan to pay child support, or
  participate in work activities appropriate to pay the support
  obligation.
         (b)  An order rendered under this section is enforceable as
  provided by Chapter 157.
         SECTION 4.  Section 156.401(b), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Sections 231.1015, 231.1016, and
  231.1017, a [A] support order may be modified with regard to the
  amount of support ordered only as to obligations accruing after the
  earlier of:
               (1)  the date of service of citation; or
               (2)  an appearance in the suit to modify.
         SECTION 5.  Section 157.321, Family Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 157.321.  DISCRETIONARY RELEASE OF LIEN. (a) A child
  support lien claimant may at any time release a lien on all or part
  of the property of the obligor or return seized property, without
  liability, if assurance of payment is considered adequate by the
  claimant or if the release or return will facilitate the collection
  of the arrearages. The release or return may not operate to prevent
  future action to collect from the same or other property owned by
  the obligor.
         (b)  A release of child support lien filed by the Title IV-D
  agency under this section does not require verification.
         SECTION 6.  Section 157.322, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  A release of child support lien filed by the Title IV-D
  agency under this section does not require verification.
         SECTION 7.  Section 161.304, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  The clerk of the court shall provide a copy of an order
  rendered under Subsection (c) to the Title IV-D agency.
         SECTION 8.  Subchapter B, Chapter 201, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 201.1045 to read as follows:
         Sec. 201.1045.  PROCEEDINGS AND JUDICIAL ACTIONS BY REMOTE
  COMMUNICATION. (a)  In this section, "remote communication"
  includes teleconferencing, videoconferencing, and any similar
  technology.
         (b)  Unless a party files a written objection and except as
  provided by Subsection (d), an associate judge appointed under this
  subchapter may conduct a proceeding or perform a judicial action
  authorized under Section 201.104 from any location in this state
  using remote communication.
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), an associate judge
  appointed under this subchapter may require or authorize a party to
  participate in a proceeding authorized under Section 201.104 using
  a method of remote communication available to the party.
         (d)  A respondent is entitled to appear in person at a final
  hearing that may result in a finding of contempt or revocation of
  the respondent's community supervision under Chapter 157.  The
  respondent may waive the right to appear in person at the hearing in
  writing or on the record. Unless the respondent waives that right,
  the associate judge must also appear at the hearing in person.
         SECTION 9.  Section 231.002(e), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  The Title IV-D agency may take the following
  administrative actions with respect to the location of a parent,
  the determination of parentage, and the establishment,
  modification, and enforcement of child support, medical support,
  and dental support orders required by 42 U.S.C. Section 666(c),
  without obtaining an order from any other judicial or
  administrative tribunal:
               (1)  issue an administrative subpoena, as provided by
  Section 231.303, to obtain financial or other information;
               (2)  order genetic testing for parentage
  determination, as provided by Chapter 233;
               (3)  order income withholding, as provided by Chapter
  233, and issue an administrative writ of withholding, as provided
  by Chapter 158; [and]
               (4)  take any action with respect to execution,
  collection, and release of a judgment or lien for child support
  necessary to satisfy the judgment or lien, as provided by Chapter
  157; and
               (5)  adjust the support obligations of an incarcerated
  obligor, as provided by Sections 231.1015, 231.1016, and 231.1017.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter A, Chapter 231, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 231.016 to read as follows:
         Sec. 231.016.  DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN CLAIMS AGAINST TITLE
  IV-D AGENCY OR TITLE IV-D AGENCY EMPLOYEE. A court may dismiss a
  cause of action asserted in a suit filed against the Title IV-D
  agency or an employee of the Title IV-D agency pertaining to the
  powers or duties of, or services provided by, the Title IV-D agency
  under this subtitle if the court determines the asserted cause of
  action:
               (1)  is frivolous or malicious;
               (2)  fails to state a claim on which relief may be
  granted; or
               (3)  seeks monetary relief from the agency or employee
  for which immunity applies.
         SECTION 11.  Section 231.101, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  The Title IV-D agency shall distribute a child support
  payment received on behalf of a child placed in substitute care as
  described by Section 264.109 to the appropriate state agency in
  accordance with applicable federal laws or regulations.
         SECTION 12.  Subchapter B, Chapter 231, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 231.1015, 231.1016, and 231.1017 to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 231.1015.  ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT OF SUPPORT
  OBLIGATIONS DURING OBLIGOR'S INCARCERATION. (a) Subject to
  Subsection (b), on verification by the Title IV-D agency that a
  judgment or order has been rendered for the confinement of a child
  support obligor in a local, state, or federal jail or prison for a
  period of at least 180 consecutive days, the Title IV-D agency shall
  review and administratively adjust the obligor's child support,
  medical support, and dental support order to amounts that are based
  on the application of the child support guidelines under Chapter
  154 to the obligor's net resources during incarceration.
         (b)  This section does not apply if the Title IV-D agency
  determines that the obligor is confined:
               (1)  due to the obligor's failure to comply with a child
  support order; or
               (2)  for an offense constituting an act of family
  violence, as defined by Section 71.004, committed against the
  obligee or a child covered by the child support order.
         (c)  If the Title IV-D agency administratively adjusts a
  support obligation under Subsection (a), the agency must:
               (1)  provide notice of the administrative adjustment to
  the parties to the support order; and
               (2)  file a copy of the notice with the court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
         (d)  The notice provided under Subsection (c) must state:
               (1)  the amount of the obligor's adjusted support
  obligation during incarceration;
               (2)  the effective date of the administrative
  adjustment of the support obligation; and
               (3)  the style and cause number of the case in which the
  support order was rendered.
         (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the Title IV-D agency
  may seek modification of the support order under Subchapter E,
  Chapter 156, in lieu of administratively adjusting the support
  obligation under this section.
         (f)  The administrative adjustment of a support obligation
  under this section may not take effect before the 30th day after the
  date a copy of the notice is filed with the court of continuing,
  exclusive jurisdiction under Subsection (c)(2).
         (g)  The administrative adjustment of a support obligation
  under this section does not affect a support obligation due before
  the effective date of the administrative adjustment.
         (h)  The Title IV-D agency may adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         Sec. 231.1016.  REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT OF
  SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS. (a) Not later than the 30th day after
  receiving notice of an administrative adjustment of a support
  obligation under Section 231.1015, a party to the support order may
  contest the administrative adjustment by requesting that the Title
  IV-D agency review the agency's decision to grant the
  administrative adjustment.
         (b)  If a party to the support order does not request the
  Title IV-D agency to review the administrative adjustment within
  the time prescribed by Subsection (a), the Title IV-D agency shall
  file an administrative adjustment order with the court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.  The order must contain a
  signed statement from the Title IV-D agency that neither party to
  the order requested an administrative review within the time
  required by Subsection (a) and state the amount of the obligor's
  adjusted support obligation during incarceration and the effective
  date of the administrative adjustment.  The court shall sign the
  order not later than the seventh day after the date the order is
  filed.  On expiration of the seventh day after the date the order is
  filed, the order is considered confirmed by the court by operation
  of law, regardless of whether the court has signed the order.
         (c)  On request by a party under Subsection (a), the Title
  IV-D agency shall:
               (1)  review the administrative adjustment of the
  support obligation to determine whether:
                     (A)  the exceptions under Section 231.1015(b)
  apply; and
                     (B)  the administrative adjustment accurately
  reflects the obligor's net resources during incarceration; and
               (2)  provide an opportunity for review with the parties
  in person or by telephone, as appropriate.
         (d)  After conducting a review under Subsection (c), the
  Title IV-D agency shall:
               (1)  affirm the administrative adjustment of the
  support obligation by issuing a notice of determination to the
  parties regarding the agency's decision to affirm the
  administrative adjustment; or
               (2)  withdraw the administrative adjustment of the
  support obligation by filing a notice with the court of continuing,
  exclusive jurisdiction withdrawing the administrative adjustment
  and issuing a notice of determination to the parties regarding the
  agency's decision to withdraw the administrative adjustment.
         (e)  Not later than the 30th day after a party receives
  notice under Subsection (d)(1), the party may file a motion
  requesting a hearing with the court of continuing, exclusive
  jurisdiction to contest the Title IV-D agency's administrative
  adjustment of the support obligation.  The administrative
  adjustment remains in effect until:
               (1)  the agency files a notice with the court of
  continuing, exclusive jurisdiction withdrawing the administrative
  adjustment; or
               (2)  the court renders an order regarding the
  administrative adjustment.
         (f)  If a party to a support order does not file a motion
  requesting a hearing with the court of continuing, exclusive
  jurisdiction within the time prescribed by Subsection (e), the
  Title IV-D agency shall file an administrative adjustment order
  with the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and shall
  attach to the order a copy of the notice of determination issued
  under Subsection (d)(1).  The order must state the amount of the
  obligor's adjusted support obligation during incarceration and the
  effective date of the administrative adjustment.  The court shall
  sign the order not later than the seventh day after the date the
  order is filed.  On expiration of the seventh day after the date the
  order is filed, the order is considered confirmed by the court by
  operation of law, regardless of whether the court has signed the
  order.
         (g)  The Title IV-D agency may adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         Sec. 231.1017.  MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT OBLIGATION AFTER
  OBLIGOR'S RELEASE FROM INCARCERATION. In a Title IV-D case, on the
  release of an obligor whose support obligations were
  administratively adjusted during incarceration under Section
  231.1015, the Title IV-D agency shall review the obligor's support
  order as provided by Section 231.101 to determine if modification
  is necessary and may proceed under Chapter 156 or 233.
         SECTION 13.  Section 231.108, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
         (h)  A court may not order the Title IV-D agency to release
  information that is confidential or privileged under this section.
         SECTION 14.  The heading to Section 231.117, Family Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 231.117.  EMPLOYMENT SERVICES-RELATED REFERRALS FOR
  UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED OBLIGORS.
         SECTION 15.  Section 231.117(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The Title IV-D agency:
               (1)  shall refer to appropriate state and local
  entities that provide employment services any unemployed or
  underemployed obligor who is in arrears in court-ordered child
  support payments; and
               (2)  may make the referral described by Subdivision (1)
  for any unemployed or underemployed obligor who is not in arrears.
         SECTION 16.  Chapter 233, Family Code, is amended by adding
  Section 233.0155 to read as follows:
         Sec. 233.0155.  ISSUANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT
  REVIEW ORDER CONTAINING DETERMINATION OF ARREARAGES; TIME
  LIMITATION NOT APPLICABLE. The Title IV-D agency's authority to
  issue and enforce a child support review order containing a
  determination of arrearages is not subject to the time limitation
  prescribed by Section 157.005(b) on the court's jurisdiction to
  confirm the amount of and render cumulative money judgments for
  arrearages.
         SECTION 17.  Section 233.018(e), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(2) or Section
  132.001(d), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the [mailing] address
  of a party shall be omitted from the child support review order and
  any waiver signed under this section if:
               (1)  the court has previously made a finding and
  ordered nondisclosure under Section 105.006(c) relating to the
  parties and the order has not been superseded; or
               (2)  the child support review order contains an agreed
  finding and order under Section 105.006(c).
         SECTION 18.  Section 233.020(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A petition for confirmation of a child support review
  order not agreed to by the parties:
               (1)  must include the final review order as an
  attachment to the petition; and
               (2)  may include a waiver of service executed under
  Section 233.018 [233.018(b)] and an agreement to appear in court
  for a hearing.
         SECTION 19.  Section 234.001(d), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d)  A certified child support payment record produced by the
  Title IV-D agency or state disbursement unit is admissible as
  evidence of the truth of the information contained in the record and
  does not require further authentication or verification.
         SECTION 20.  Subchapter A, Chapter 234, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 234.0015 and 234.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 234.0015.  CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS. For purposes of
  services provided by the state disbursement unit under this
  subchapter, a child support payment includes child support, medical
  support, and dental support ordered under Chapter 154.
         Sec. 234.013.  APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN MAINTENANCE
  PAYMENTS. The state disbursement unit shall administer maintenance
  payments ordered under Section 8.062 in the same manner as child
  support payments under this subchapter.
         SECTION 21.  Section 552.117(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Information is excepted from the requirements of
  Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to the home
  address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or
  social security number of the following person or that reveals
  whether the person has family members:
               (1)  a current or former official or employee of a
  governmental body, except as otherwise provided by Section 552.024;
               (2)  a current or honorably retired peace officer as
  defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a current or
  honorably retired security officer commissioned under Section
  51.212, Education Code, regardless of whether the officer complies
  with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
               (3)  a current or former employee of the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of
  the department or any division of the department, regardless of
  whether the current or former employee complies with Section
  552.1175;
               (4)  a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of
  Criminal Procedure, or other law, a reserve law enforcement
  officer, a commissioned deputy game warden, or a corrections
  officer in a municipal, county, or state penal institution in this
  state who was killed in the line of duty, regardless of whether the
  deceased complied with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (5)  a commissioned security officer as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, regardless of whether the
  officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
               (6)  an officer or employee of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who
  performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b), regardless of
  whether the officer or employee complies with Section 552.024 or
  552.1175;
               (7)  a current or former employee of the office of the
  attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office
  the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under
  Chapter 231, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (8)  a current or former employee of the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of the
  department, regardless of whether the current or former employee
  complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (9)  a current or former juvenile probation or
  supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code, regardless of whether the
  current or former officer complies with Section 552.024 or
  552.1175;
               (10)  a current or former employee of a juvenile
  justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section
  261.405, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former
  employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (11)  a current or former member of the United States
  Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary
  service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas
  military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
               (12)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters, regardless of whether the current or former attorney
  complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (13)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (14)  a current or former employee of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or
  a division of the office, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (15)  a current or former federal judge or state judge,
  as those terms are defined by Section 1.005, Election Code, a
  federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals
  Service, a United States attorney, or a family member of a current
  or former federal judge, including a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States
  attorney, or a state judge;
               (16)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services, regardless of
  whether the caseworker or investigator complies with Section
  552.024 or 552.1175, or a current or former employee of a department
  contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult
  protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the
  contractor on behalf of the department;
               (17)  an elected public officer, regardless of whether
  the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (18)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and
  the spouse or child of the current or former attorney or public
  defender, regardless of whether the person complies with Section
  552.024 or 552.1175; or
               (19)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code, regardless of whether the firefighter or
  volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel
  comply with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable.
         SECTION 22.  Section 552.1175(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to:
               (1)  current or honorably retired peace officers as
  defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or special
  investigators as described by Article 2.122, Code of Criminal
  Procedure;
               (2)  current or honorably retired county jailers as
  defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
               (3)  current or former employees of the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of
  the department or any division of the department;
               (4)  commissioned security officers as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
               (5)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters;
               (5-a)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters;
               (6)  officers and employees of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who perform
  a duty described by Section 76.004(b);
               (7)  criminal investigators of the United States as
  described by Article 2.122(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (8)  current or honorably retired police officers and
  inspectors of the United States Federal Protective Service;
               (9)  current and former employees of the office of the
  attorney general who are or were assigned to a division of that
  office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed
  under Chapter 231, Family Code;
               (10)  current or former juvenile probation and
  detention officers certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
               (11)  current or former employees of a juvenile justice
  program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405,
  Family Code;
               (12)  current or former employees of the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department or the predecessors in function of the
  department;
               (13)  federal judges and state judges as defined by
  Section 1.005, Election Code;
               (14)  current or former employees of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or
  a division of the office;
               (15)  a current or former member of the United States
  Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary
  service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas
  military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
               (16)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or
  former employee of a department contractor performing child
  protective services caseworker, adult protective services
  caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf
  of the department;
               (17)  an elected public officer;
               (18)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code; and
               (19)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender.
         SECTION 23.  Section 12.0011(d), Property Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  This section does not apply to a child support lien
  notice or release of child support lien issued by the Title IV-D
  agency under Chapter 157, Family Code. For purposes of this
  subsection, "Title IV-D agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
  101.033, Family Code.
         SECTION 24.  Section 240.151, Property Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (g) and (h) and adding Subsection (i) to read
  as follows:
         (g)  A disclaimer by a child support obligor is barred as to
  disclaimed property that could be applied to satisfy the
  disclaimant's child support obligations if those obligations have
  been:
               (1)  administratively determined as evidenced by a
  certified child support payment record produced by the Title IV-D
  agency [as defined by Section 101.033, Family Code,] in a Title IV-D
  case [as defined by Section 101.034, Family Code]; or
               (2)  confirmed and reduced to judgment as provided by
  Section 157.263, Family Code.
         (h)  If Subsection (g) applies, the child support obligee to
  whom child support arrearages are owed or the Title IV-D agency may
  enforce the child support obligation against the disclaimant as to
  disclaimed property by a lien or by any other remedy provided by
  law.
         (i)  In this section:
               (1)  "Title IV-D agency" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 101.033, Family Code.
               (2)  "Title IV-D case" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 101.034, Family Code.
         SECTION 25.  Section 25.025(a), Tax Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to:
               (1)  a current or former peace officer as defined by
  Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the spouse or
  surviving spouse of the peace officer;
               (2)  the adult child of a current peace officer as
  defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (3)  a current or honorably retired county jailer as
  defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
               (4)  an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice;
               (5)  a commissioned security officer as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
               (6)  an individual who shows that the individual, the
  individual's child, or another person in the individual's household
  is a victim of family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family
  Code, by providing:
                     (A)  a copy of a protective order issued under
  Chapter 85, Family Code, or a magistrate's order for emergency
  protection issued under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;
  or
                     (B)  other independent documentary evidence
  necessary to show that the individual, the individual's child, or
  another person in the individual's household is a victim of family
  violence;
               (7)  an individual who shows that the individual, the
  individual's child, or another person in the individual's household
  is a victim of sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking of
  persons by providing:
                     (A)  a copy of a protective order issued under
  Subchapter A or B, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a
  magistrate's order for emergency protection issued under Article
  17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
                     (B)  other independent documentary evidence
  necessary to show that the individual, the individual's child, or
  another person in the individual's household is a victim of sexual
  assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking of persons;
               (8)  a participant in the address confidentiality
  program administered by the attorney general under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 58, Code of Criminal Procedure, who provides proof of
  certification under Article 58.059, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (9)  a federal judge, a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a state judge, or a
  family member of a federal judge, a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, or a state judge;
               (10)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters;
               (11)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters;
               (12)  an officer or employee of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76,
  Government Code, who performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b)
  of that code;
               (13)  a criminal investigator of the United States as
  described by Article 2.122(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (14)  a current or honorably retired police officer or
  inspector of the United States Federal Protective Service;
               (15)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and
  the spouse and child of the attorney or public defender;
               (16)  a current or former employee of the office of the
  attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office
  the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under
  Chapter 231, Family Code;
               (17)  a medical examiner or person who performs
  forensic analysis or testing who is employed by this state or one or
  more political subdivisions of this state;
               (18)  a current or former member of the United States
  armed forces who has served in an area that the president of the
  United States by executive order designates for purposes of 26
  U.S.C. Section 112 as an area in which armed forces of the United
  States are or have engaged in combat;
               (19)  a current or former employee of the Texas
  Juvenile Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of
  the department;
               (20)  a current or former juvenile probation or
  supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
               (21)  a current or former employee of a juvenile
  justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section
  261.405, Family Code;
               (22)  a current or former employee of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or the predecessor in function of the office or a
  division of the office;
               (23)  a current or former employee of a federal judge or
  state judge;
               (24)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or
  former employee of a department contractor performing child
  protective services caseworker, adult protective services
  caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf
  of the department;
               (25)  an elected public officer; and
               (26)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 26.  Section 231.117(d), Family Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 27.  The change in law made by Section 355.102(e),
  Estates Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to the estate of
  a decedent who dies on or after the effective date of this Act.  The
  estate of a decedent who dies before the effective date of this Act
  is governed by the law in effect on the date of the decedent's
  death, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 28.  The changes in law made by Section 154.017,
  Family Code, as added by this Act, and Section 231.117, Family Code,
  as amended by this Act, do not constitute a material and substantial
  change of circumstances under Section 156.401, Family Code,
  sufficient to warrant modification of a court order or a portion of
  a decree that provides for the support of a child rendered before
  the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 29.  The changes in law made by Section 157.321,
  Family Code, as amended by this Act, Section 157.322(c), Family
  Code, as added by this Act, and Section 12.0011(d), Property Code,
  as amended by this Act, apply only to a child support lien release
  executed on or after the effective date of this Act. A child
  support lien release executed before the effective date of this Act
  is governed by the law in effect on the date the lien release was
  executed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 30.  The change in law made by Section 161.304(c-1),
  Family Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an order
  reinstating parental rights that is rendered on or after the
  effective date of this Act.  An order rendered before the effective
  date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the
  order was rendered, and the former law is continued in effect for
  that purpose.
         SECTION 31.  The change in law made by Section 201.1045,
  Family Code, as added by this Act, applies to a proceeding conducted
  or judicial action performed on or after the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 32.  The change in law made by Section 231.016,
  Family Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a suit filed on or
  after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 33.  The change in law made by Section 231.101(f),
  Family Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a child support
  payment received by the Title IV-D agency on or after the effective
  date of this Act. A child support payment received by the Title
  IV-D agency before that date is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the payment was received, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 34.  (a) The changes in law made by Section
  231.002(e), Family Code, as amended by this Act, and Sections
  231.1015, 231.1016, and 231.1017, Family Code, as added by this
  Act, apply to a child support order regardless of whether the order
  was rendered before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  The change in law made by this Act described by
  Subsection (a) of this section constitutes a material and
  substantial change of circumstances under Section 156.401, Family
  Code, sufficient to warrant modification of a court order or a
  portion of a decree that provides for the support of a child
  rendered before the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 35.  The change in law made by Section 233.0155,
  Family Code, as added by this Act, applies to a child support review
  order issued by the Title IV-D agency on or after the effective date
  of this Act regardless of whether the original child support order
  was rendered before, on, or after that date.
         SECTION 36.  The change in law made by Section 233.018(e),
  Family Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an agreed child
  support review order filed on or after the effective date of this
  Act. An agreed child support review order filed before that date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the order was filed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 37.  The change in law made by Section 234.001(d),
  Family Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to the
  admissibility of evidence in a proceeding commenced on or after the
  effective date of this Act.  The admissibility of evidence in a
  proceeding that commences before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding commenced,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 38.  The changes in law made by Section 154.004,
  Family Code, as amended by this Act, and Sections 234.0015 and
  234.013, Family Code, as added by this Act, apply to a child support
  or maintenance payment made on or after the effective date of this
  Act regardless of whether the order for child support or
  maintenance was rendered before, on, or after the effective date of
  this Act.
         SECTION 39.  The changes in law made by Sections 552.117(a)
  and 552.1175(a), Government Code, and Section 25.025(a), Tax Code,
  as amended by this Act, apply only to a request for information that
  is received by a governmental body or an officer on or after the
  effective date of this Act.  A request for information that was
  received before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the request was received, and the former
  law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 40.  The change in law made by Section 240.151,
  Property Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a disclaimer
  made on or after the effective date of this Act.  A disclaimer made
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect at the time the disclaimer was made, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 41.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 870 passed the Senate on
  April 3, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 870 passed the House on
  May 9, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 6, two present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor
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