Bill Text: TX HB4213 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the accrual of interest on overdue child support.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2025-05-21 - Left pending in committee [HB4213 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB4213-Engrossed.html

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By: Dutton H.B. No. 4213

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the accrual of interest on overdue child support.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 157.265, Family Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 157.265. ACCRUAL OF INTEREST ON CHILD SUPPORT. (a)
Interest accrues on the portion of delinquent child support that is
greater than the amount of the monthly periodic support obligation
at the interest rate determined under Section 304.003, Finance
Code, [rate of six percent simple interest per year] from the date
the support is delinquent until the date the support is paid or the
arrearages are confirmed and reduced to money judgment.
(b) Interest accrues on child support arrearages that have
been confirmed and reduced to money judgment as provided in this
subchapter at the interest rate determined under Section 304.003,
Finance Code, [rate of six percent simple interest per year] from
the date the order is rendered until the date the judgment is paid.
(c) Interest accrues on a money judgment for retroactive or
lump-sum child support at the interest rate determined under
Section 304.003, Finance Code, [annual rate of six percent simple
interest] from the date the order is rendered until the judgment is
paid.
(d) Subsection (a) applies to a child support payment that
becomes due on or after January 1, 2026 [2002].
(e) Child support arrearages in existence on January 1, 2026
[2002], that were not confirmed and reduced to a money judgment on
or before that date accrue interest as follows:
(1) before January 1, 2026 [2002], the arrearages are
subject to the interest rate that applied to the arrearages before
that date; and
(2) on and after January 1, 2026 [2002], the
cumulative total of arrearages and interest accumulated on those
arrearages described by Subdivision (1) is subject to Subsection
(a).
(f) Subsections (b) and (c) apply to a money judgment for
child support rendered on or after January 1, 2026 [2002]. A money
judgment for child support rendered before that date is governed by
the law in effect on the date the judgment was rendered, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.